A sheep station in Gibbston Valley is where New Zealand print maker and sculptor Kristin Peren lives and creates. This month in Habitus 13, Andrea Stevens speaks with Kristin artist about her practice, visits her home and discovers a sense of humour that cuts through to some serious issues.
Top: 1 Bullet proof Bottom: Meat part of Kristin Peren’s False Trophies series (2006). Photographer Youngae Kim
Kristin Peren is concept-driven driven artist and has a range of expression in her art practice. In a large public commission for the Frankton Events Centre in Queenstown Papakura (2005-2008), she created three enormous resin pieces backlit by 22,000 LED lights. And in a photographic series entitled Light Lands (2010) she took stills of a rolled up wire fence rolling down the hill at night threaded with LED point lights. The results are quite diverse, often playful and alluring.
Animal carcasses are another sorry sight on her Gibbston Valley farm, and in her False Trophies series 2006-2007 (pictured), she assembled deer antlers, merino sheep and goat horns into wry representations of hunting prizes, mocking intensive farming and irresponsible introductions of “game” meat.
Five cents worth is part of Kristin’s False Trophies series (2006). Photographer Youngae Kim
Inside the farmhouse, a warm and eclectic art and furniture collection reflects her and her husband’s interests. Amongst Kristen’s own art, is work by her daughters; New Zealand artists such as Gordon Walters, Michael Parekowhai, Phil Price and Stephen Bambury; and work by contemporary Japanese print makers and potters. Their furniture is mostly mid-century, with a large dining table Kristen designed herself on which she makes a lot of her work.
Bonehead is part of Kristin’s False Trophies series (2006). Photographer Youngae Kim
For the full story on Kristin Peren get Habitus issue 13 out now.