The arts world is in mourning after the passing of one of the true icons of Ngā Toi Māori, Fred Graham at the age of 96.

A beloved artist, mentor and educator - Graham has remained a relevant figure in the art world, just last week unveiling a major new sculpture, Te Manu Rangimaarie, at Taupiri.

Graham (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura) is still a global attraction, chosen as one of the NZ artists to be part of this year’s Venice Biennale international exhibition. It’s just one of many overseas exhibitions Graham has been involved with, including the 1986 ‘Te Ao Marama’ (‘Seven Māori Artists’) exhibition that toured Australia and a 1992 United States tour showcasing contemporary Māori art.

He was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year's Honours list - which was due to recieve later this month - and was preparing for the opening of his latest exhibition, Fred Graham: Toi Whakaata / Reflections, at Christchurch Art Gallery (31 May-5 October). As the Arts Foundation pointed out in their social media post "Even in his final days, his legacy was growing."

Graham's service to Māori art dates back to the 1950s. He was an art adviser to Māori primary schools throughout Rotorua and Northland, has been Head of the Art Department at various schools throughout the North Island and he has played a key role in inspiring and developing the next generation of artistic talent as a mentor and advocate. 

He was a pioneer of the Contemporary Māori Art Movement and in 1966 he was a key figure in organising one of the first exhibitions of contemporary Māori painting and sculptures in Hamilton, part of what is known as ‘the class of ’66’ with the likes of Cliff Whiting and Paratene Matchitt.

Graham served on the Haerewa Māori Cultural Advisory Group at the Auckland Art Gallery for almost three decades.  He has produced sculptures that are displayed in cities and towns across the motu, as well as galleries in Seattle, Vancouver and South Korea. Most recently, Graham was commissioned to create sculptures for the new Catholic College in Drury and a roundabout south of Tirau.

His artistic legacy is also a genetic one, with his Arts Laureate son Brett Graham also a renowned exponent of Māori sculpture and also part of this year’s NZ contingent at Venice. His daughter Kathyrn is also an influential member of the creative community as a TV and podcast producer, with many projects focussing on arts and culture.

In his last interview with The Big Idea last year, Fred Graham spoke of his desire for his legacy to be helping to inspire the next generation of artists.

"It's a pretty hard row to hoe as artists in New Zealand - whether you're involved in music, art, opera, you name it. It's always the major question when you tell people you're an artist, they say 'what do you do for a living?'" Fred laughed.

"When people like myself receive these types of recognition, it can help inspire people to stay on their path."

He took great pride in the work of his children - noting in the context of their shared Venice Biennale achievement "I'm very proud of being able to share this with him - to be quite honest I'm very happy to be known as Brett Graham's father." 

Reaction

Leading Māori curator and artist Nigel Borell was among those to turn to social media to pay tribute to the remarkable impact of "matua Fred".

"We lost another huge tohunga toi Māori with the passing of matua Fred Graham. At the age of 96 he was making and creating work right till the end. A sad day but such an amazing contribution and legacy to Maori art and to us all!"

Fellow curator Megan Tamati-Quennell commented "He was a wonderful artist and man with a wry sense of humour. Extraordinary life and contribution to art and culture in this country. He was also one of the Tovey/Taiapa itinerant Maori art specialists alongside many of the greats Ralph Hotere, Kataraina Mataira and others."

His place among the Arts Foundations Icon was acknowledged by the organisation who first broke the news to many on Friday.

Creative New Zealand were among the first to offer its condolences, stating "Sir Fred was a long-standing friend and collaborator of CNZ. In 2013 he received the Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi Ihaka | Sir Kingi Ihaka Award recognising lifetime contribution to the arts, and in 2017 he received the Supreme Te Waka Toi Award - Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu — recognising his lifetime of service to the advancement of Māori art and cultural leadership.

"His legacy is one of integrity, innovation, and deep cultural grounding. His works continue to speak across generations, inspiring new waves of Māori artists to stand tall in their whakapapa and vision."

Toi Ōtautahi Christchurch Art Gallery's upcoming exhibition will now be even more poignant. The gallery posted "He broke new ground, using contemporary techniques and materials to connect new audiences with Maori artistry, values and histories.

"Like the soaring manu that feature in so many of his most renowned public works, his sculptures are beautiful and powerful, delivered with astonishing economy and intensity. Every image and every exquisitely considered surface draws us back to the deep wellspring of matauraka Mãori.

"He once said, 'It’s not until you get older that you start to realise the importance of whakapapa. You’re too busy getting on with things. But as you get older, you realise that these are the things that make you who you are.'

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery - a huge advocate for Fred's son Brett's mahi - posted "Aotearoa art has lost a tohunga of toi Māori and an artist whose work opened up new possibilities for artists and audiences throughout his unceasing practice."

Feed Graham's service was held at the Hopuhopu Chapel, at the Endowment College at Hopuhopu, where he designed the baptismal font and his wife Norma made the stained glass windows following his design. It was followed with a private cremation.  

Graham's ability was unquestionable, his motivations undeniable and his impact unbreakable. A mighty tōtara has fallen, but will not be forgotten.