Peter Robinson was born in Ashburton in 1966 of Ngai Tahu descent. He studied sculpture at Ilam School of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury between 1985 -1989 and is now an Associate Professor at The Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland University.
He was also one of two artists chosen to first represent New Zealand at the 49th Venice Biennale in 2001. His Venice exhibition was shown at the Auckland Art Gallery in late 2002.
One of a second generation of Maori artists to graduate from art school, the content of his work is often perceived as politically and culturally controversial and is designed to challenge the viewer. During the 80’s and 90’s he became renowned for his provocative treatment of racial issues, ethnicity and identity. His use of materials is diverse and includes drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media and installation.
The Binary Code series of work was created when Robinson was living and working overseas. It reflected the dislocation and alienation he felt working in a foreign place with no familiar context to draw upon.
Robinson’s work has been exhibited widely in New Zealand and internationally. Aside from the Venice Biennale, he has participated in many international biennials and exhibitions. He won the Walters Prize in 2008 for his exhibition ACK at Artspace, Auckland. In 2016 he was made a Laureate of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.
