Robert Hans George Jahnke ONZM FRNZ (Ngāi Taharora, Te Whānau a Iritekura, Te Whānau a Rakairoa o Ngāti Porou), born in New Zealand in 1951, is a pioneering Māori artist recognized for his groundbreaking work in contemporary sculpture and mixed media.
His art delves into the complexities of identity, cultural heritage, and the interplay between Māori and European colonisers, with a particular focus on the influence of Christianity on Māori culture. Through his innovative approach, Jahnke reinterprets customary narratives and highlights the politics of identity and intercultural exchange.
Raised in Waipiro Bay on the East Coast of New Zealand, Jahnke pursued his artistic education at the Elam School of Fine Arts, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts. He furthered his studies with a Master's in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of the Arts.
A trailblazer in Māori art education, Jahnke played a crucial role in founding Toioho ki Āpiti, the Māori Visual Arts program at Massey University, in 1995. His contributions to Māori art and education were recognized in 2018 when he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
Today, Jahnke is celebrated as one of New Zealand’s leading contemporary Māori artists. He continues to shape the future of Māori visual arts as a professor at Massey University, where his legacy in fostering new generations of artists remains profound.
Photo: Norm Heke
““Across the decades, he has achieved two phenomenal and significant outcomes in the advancement of Māori visual art. Firstly, in terms of his own indelible artistic contribution, Professor Jahnke’s work is and remains ground-breaking. Secondly, by way of his ongoing mentorship and development of emerging Māori artists via the Toioho ki Āpiti Māori Visual Arts programme here at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, a kaupapa established by Professor Jahnke in the 1990s and one that has contributed many prominent Māori artists in recent decades.””
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2024
Jahnke,R.H. Te Wepu MMXXIII, Paul Nache Gallery, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ; Aotearoa Art Fair with Paul Nache Gallery.
2023
Jahnke, R.H. Te Tomokanga o te ua (entranceway), Aotearoa Art Fair, The Cloud, Auckland Viaduct, NZ; Te Wepu MMXXIII, Webb’s Gallery, Te Aro, Wellington
2021
Jahnke, R.H. Mata Puare The Awakening, Milford Galleries, Dunedin
2019
Jahnke, R. H. Lamentation. Holt Gallery, Hastings City Art Gallery, Hawkes Bay
2016-18
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Ata: A Third Reflection’, Carriageworks, Sydney Contemporary, Australia; Pataka Art & Museum, Porirua; Te Manawa, Palmerston North; Whangarei Art Museum, Whangarei; Waikato Art Museum, Hamilton; Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga; Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, Hillsborough, Auckland.
2015
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Te Hokinga mai’, PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ
2012
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Infamous’, Bath Street Gallery, Parnell, NZ
2011-2012
Jahnke, R. H. ‘This is my land’, Museum Hotel, Wellington, NZ
2011
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Cogito ergo sum’, PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ
2010
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Tirohanga o mua: looking back’, Te Manawa, Palmerston North, NZ
Jahnke, R. H. ‘MAORIMADE’, PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024
Jahnke et al. Te Wepu MMXXIII, PERSONAL STRUCTURES 2024, 7th edition of the Biennial of International Art, European Cultural Centre, Palazzo Mora, Venice, Italy
2023
Jahnke et al. The Meeting Place, Paul Nache Gallery, Gisborne, NZ
Te Wepu MMXXIII, Webbs Gallery, Te Aro, Wellington; Waheke Community Arts Centre, Waiheke Island, Auckland
2018
Jahnke et al. Nowhere to somewhere (3-30 January 2018) Paul Nache Gallery, Gisborne
2017
Jahnke et al. SCAPE Public Art Season (2 October 2017-28 February 2018), Kaokao 181 High Street, Christchurch
Jahnke et al. LUX Light Festival, Kaokao Te Ao Marama Precinct, Wellington
Jahnke et al. headlands Sculpture on the gulf, Kaokao Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf
Jahnke et al. Maori Market: Bob & Friends, Te Ao Marama video, Xstatic, Wharewaka, Wellington
Jahnke et al. Maoriland Film Festival (15-19 March), Tuku Iho - Nga Purapura, Otaki
2016
Jahnke et al. Nga aho taruarua, Some of my best friends are coloured IV, Tuku Iho, Corban’s Estate Art Centre, Henderson
Jahnke et al. He Waka Eke Noa, Milford Galleries, Dunedin
Jahnke et al. Staging Post, Milford Galleries, Queenstown
2015-16
Jahnke et al. Korerareka Visual Kai exhibition. Haratu, Russell. Curated by Clive Arlidge & Michel Tuffery
2015
Jahnke & Campbell, Tawhirowhiro. headlands Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island
Jahnke, Larkin, Kereama, Whiting. Tuku Iho: To bequeath. Bath Street Gallery, Parnell. Curated by Bob Jahnke
Jahnke et al. Sydney Contemporary. Sydney. Curated by Bath Street Gallery.
Jahnke, Aukola, Hautapu, Taiapa. Matatau 2015. Te Manawa. Palmerston North
2014
Jahnke, Puke, Reihana, Taepa. Bob & Friends. Maori Market TSB Arena. Wellington
Jahnke et al. Kokiri Putahi Exhibition. Northland College, Kaikohe
2013
Jahnke et al. Te Atinga 25 years on. Mangere Community Centre. Curated by Nigel Borell.
Jahnke, Birch, Cotton, Graham, Grant, Hollis. Kaihono Ahua Revisioning Contemporary New Zealand Art The 7th Suter Biennale. Curated by Anna Marie White, Suter Gallery. Nelson
2012-2014
Jahnke, Aumua, Birch, Hohaia, Pearce, Te Tau, Te Whaiti. Matatau. Bath Street Gallery, Parnell
2012-24
Jahnke, Birch, Cotton. Whakawhiti Aria: Transmission. Curated by Shelley Jahnke. Te Manawa, Palmerston North. Toured to Pataka Art + Museum, Porirua; Tuaranga Art Gallery
2011
Jahnke, Cotton, Graham, Parekowhai, Reihana. Bob and friends. Māori Market. Curated by Bob Jahnke. Te Rauparaha Stadium. Porirua
Jahnke et al. Toioho ki Mangere. Toi o Uenuku. Auckland. Curated by Bob Jahnke. Mangere Arts Centre, Manukau City
Jahnke et al. Auckland Art Fair. Viaduct, Auckland. Curated by Bath Street Gallery
"Robert Jahnke is nationally renowned as a leading artist, educator, and scholar. As an artist, he is widely represented in collecting institutions including Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland Art Gallery, and Christchurch Art Gallery. As an educator in Māori Visual Arts at Massey University, Bob has had immense impact as one of the founders of Toioho ki Āpiti, a ground-breaking school of art that has fostered the learning and practice of generations of Māori and Indigenous artists. As a founding member of Te Waka Toi, he was part of the Toi Iho trademark mahi to protect ngā toi Māori. Throughout his decades-long career he has continued to evolve his artistic practice, and advocate for and inspire generations of artists and scholars. His own work is politically engaged, visually breathtaking and explores traditional Māori narratives in a way that is incredibly contemporary and exciting."
Awards
2023
New Zealand Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate, Jillian Friedlander Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Award
2022
Te Papa Rongomaraeroa Award for contribution to Te Ao Māori.
2021
Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (FRSNZ)
ANZAAE Premier Award for sustained leadership, outstanding service, and contributions to research in art education
2019
28th Wallace Arts Trust Paramount Award
2018
SREF Grant, Massey University
Massey University Research Grant
2017
ONZM Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Massey University Research Grant
College of Creative Arts RATA Award for Excellence in Research
2011
Nga Kupu Ora Maori Book Award for Tirohanga o Mua Looking Back
2005
Te Mata o te Tau Doctoral Scholarship
2002
Te Waka Toi ‘Te Ara Whakarei’ Honorary Te Toi Iho – Māori made mark user endorsement
‘Nga Mahi Hou a Te Waka Toi’ Award
1998-1999
Fulbright Visiting Artist/Scholar, Department of Art, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Oahu
1996
Visiting Fellow, ANU, Canberra School of Art, Australia
1985
NZ Government Printers Award for illustration in the 'Fish of Our Fathers', a children's book
1980
John Faith Hubley Film Animation Award for 'Te Utu; The Battle of the Gods
1978
NZ Library Association. Russell Clarke Award for illustration in 'House of the People', a children's book
Commissions
2019
Te Tatau ki Kirikiriroa. MESH Sculpture Trust, Hamilton
2017
Nga Huruhuru Rangatira. Palmerston North Sculpture Trust, The Square, Palmerston North
Maui Pou. ASB Waterfront Theatre, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland
2009
Stations of the Cross. St Brigids, Catholic Church, Feilding. Collaboration with Praxis Architecture Ltd
2007
Waharoa. Mana Tamariki. Palmerston North
Rauwai. Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, Shelley’s Beach, North Auckland. Invitation from the Brick Bay Sculpture Trust.
Nga takere o Tamaki. University of Auckland, Tamaki Campus. Panmure
2002
Spinning Top. Wellington Sculpture Trust