Alexander Sarsfield
English Breakfast
Alexander Sarsfield
English Breakfast
23 aug. — 9 nov. 2024
23 aug. — 9 nov. 2024
Image: Alexander Sarsfield, English Breakfast (detail), 2024. Courtesy the artist
Image: Alexander Sarsfield, English Breakfast (detail), 2024. Courtesy the artist
Alexander Sarsfield
English Breakfast
23 aug. — 9 nov. 2024
“Sharing food is the central event when meeting new whanaunga. An offering of warmth, welcome and manaaki as I fumble through connecting to my grandfather’s culture and heritage as an adult.
But as we come together around the table to share lifetimes of stories, it is hard to ignore the effects of assimilation for my whānau. We share the kai, the joy of familial reunion as well as the underlying grief and awkwardness from missed experiences.
English Breakfast sees the blend of traditional and non-traditional ways of making. Tabling the recent rise of anti-Māori policies in Aotearoa and a renewed push for assimilation, we must sit with these tensions.
We are ready to eat.” – Alexander Sarsfield 2024
Whanaunga – relations
Manaaki – care, hospitality
Whānau – family
Kai - food
6
Installation view Echoes featuring Jelena Telecki, ‘Partizanke’ 2023, This work was commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the exhibition Mothers, Fathers, Contemporary Projects. Supported by Contemporary Projects patrons Andrew and Cathy Cameron, and partner Atelier, oil on linen, Courtesy of the artist and 1301SW, Australia; Installation view Alexander Sarsfield, ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’, 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide and ‘Cut the para!’, 2024, raranga harakeke (woven New Zealand flax), courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘Cut the para!’ (detail), 2024, raranga harakeke (woven New Zealand flax), courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’, 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide, courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘Cut the para!’ (detail), 2024, raranga harakeke (woven New Zealand flax), courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’ (detail), 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide, courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’ (detail), 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide, courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Image: Alexander Sarsfield, English Breakfast (detail), 2024. Courtesy the artist
Alexander Sarsfield
English Breakfast
23 aug. — 9 nov. 2024
“Sharing food is the central event when meeting new whanaunga. An offering of warmth, welcome and manaaki as I fumble through connecting to my grandfather’s culture and heritage as an adult.
But as we come together around the table to share lifetimes of stories, it is hard to ignore the effects of assimilation for my whānau. We share the kai, the joy of familial reunion as well as the underlying grief and awkwardness from missed experiences.
English Breakfast sees the blend of traditional and non-traditional ways of making. Tabling the recent rise of anti-Māori policies in Aotearoa and a renewed push for assimilation, we must sit with these tensions.
We are ready to eat.” – Alexander Sarsfield 2024
Whanaunga – relations
Manaaki – care, hospitality
Whānau – family
Kai - food
6
Installation view Echoes featuring Jelena Telecki, ‘Partizanke’ 2023, This work was commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the exhibition Mothers, Fathers, Contemporary Projects. Supported by Contemporary Projects patrons Andrew and Cathy Cameron, and partner Atelier, oil on linen, Courtesy of the artist and 1301SW, Australia; Installation view Alexander Sarsfield, ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’, 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide and ‘Cut the para!’, 2024, raranga harakeke (woven New Zealand flax), courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘Cut the para!’ (detail), 2024, raranga harakeke (woven New Zealand flax), courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’, 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide, courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘Cut the para!’ (detail), 2024, raranga harakeke (woven New Zealand flax), courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’ (detail), 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide, courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.
Installation view Alexander Sarsfield ‘English Breakfast’ featuring ‘E whāngaitia ana tātou’ (detail), 2024, white earthenware, clear glaze, iron oxide, courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Silversalt Photography.