MARTI FRIEDLANDER
Throughout her inspiring career, Marti Friedlander has
demonstrated great insight into the way New Zealand has established a more
complex and compelling identity over multiple generations. She has been
instrumental in independently documenting the changing nature of contemporary
post-war New Zealand through the protest and women's movements, the ever-changing
roles of men and women, and that of Maori and Pacific societies.
Now celebrating her 87th birthday, Marti reflects on her life
and occupation…
Within your latest biography, Self Portrait, you state that
had you not come to New Zealand, you might never have become a freelance
photographer. What was it about your arrival that encouraged you to turn your
hand to photography?
Probably the strangeness of everything as it seemed to me after
living in a large cosmopolitan city for all of my life. I decided to photograph
what was going on around me and also to start my professional career photographing
children.
Having been both an observer and advocate for the significant
sociocultural development of post-war New Zealand, especially that of the
1960's and 70's, do you feel you yourself have been shaped by these formative
years?
No, not at all. I’m not a follower, but I'm glad to have observed
and recorded the changes that were occurring in New Zealand during this time.
In 1999 you were awarded
the Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit for your services to photography.
What does this recognition mean to you and your work?
Well it was something I felt so proud at receiving. To have such
recognition for my work was truly something to be grateful for. As for my
work, it continues to be of interest to others as a record of the past, and for
me that is the motivation for all my work, even now. History begins ‘yesterday’
and I’m acutely aware of that!
Your limited edition posters have been incredibly successful. How
does it feel seeing your work reproduced in this way?
It feels great to know that young people can afford to have my
work on their walls, and I’m really happy about that. That’s how I bought
my first painting as a poster when I was young. I’ve never forgotten the thrill
of it!
Looking forward, what does the year ahead hold?
Life I hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment