Marti Friedlander: Portraits of the Artists

by Leonard Bell

For fifty years, Marti Friedlander (1928–2016) was one of New Zealand’s most important photographers, her work singled out for praise and recognition here and around the world. Friedlander’s powerful pictures chronicled the country’s social and cultural life from the 1960s into the twenty-first century. From painters to potters, film makers to novelists, and actors to musicians, Marti Friedlander was always deeply engaged with New Zealand’s creative talent. This book, published to coincide with an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Wellington, brings together those extraordinary people and photographs: Rita Angus and Ralph Hotere, C. K. Stead and Maurice Gee, Neil Finn and Kapka Kassabova, Ans Westra and Kiri Te Kanawa, and many many more. Marti Friedlander: Portraits of the Artists chronicles the changing face of the arts in New Zealand while also addressing a central theme in Marti Friedlander’s photography. Featuring more than 250 photographs, many never previously published, the book is an illuminating chronicle of the cultural life of Aotearoa New Zealand.

336 pages, Hardcover

Published January 28, 2021

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a given that a book of Marti Friedlander’s portraits will be full of beautiful striking images. The narration adds by bringing anecdotes and reflections on the artists who are the subjects of the photographs and their relationships to each other and the photographer. A really engaging and interesting insight into New Zealand Art Culture.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb book documenting the work of photography legend Marti Friedlander with New Zealand artists. Many of the images in the book are here seen for the first time or in high quality for the first time. Supported by excellent writing, the accomplished photography is one thing (once again confirming Friedlander's formidable eye and skill) but the book is also remarkable for the way it preserves the stories of NZ artists who may or may not have otherwise been remembered. Excellent.

[Karen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a treasured Friedlander print, this book I just love. Interesting different insights into many of the past 70 years artists and writers.

Its been a wonderful browse - read some of it each day - I can never get too much on how talented people tick, their perspectives, how they live their talent. Just endlessly interesting. Alas it must go back to the library.