Reading artworks closely for over twenty years.
Yani Rothman is an independent, syndicated writer on art communication in Aotearoa New Zealand.
About the writer
Trained in visual art, graphic design and philosophy, and recognised with an Australian distinction in writing, Yani writes in-depth reviews of New Zealand artists, and interviews them about what their work communicates. Writing fiction while travelling alone across Europe, scriptwriting, hosting a radio show and a decade of advocacy for the rights of intercountry adoptees taught Yani how words reach people.
9 entries — newest first
No. 009Tararua
Mike Harold — Oil
A single Huia tail feather that sold for about a pound in 1901 (roughly $85 in today’s money), fetched a record $46,521.50 at auction in 2024. Mike Harold explores the story behind the price of extinction in his latest series.
No. 008Ōtautahi
Jade Cavalcante — Charcoal and Ink
Jade Cavalcante’s charcoal turns like a kaleidoscope, underneath the shifting images is an artist's hand that doesn't appear to hesitant, and which knows one eye sees 'this', and one eye sees 'that', yet both are clearly seeing eye-to-eye.
No. 007Wellington
Taika Waititi — Recycled Mix
Nobody at the counter is asked to explain why they prefer a latte, and a cup of coffee is one of the few things we offer each other without sizing each other up first. Traditionally, the role of the artist is pushing back against these fences. To me, Waititi seems to understand this intrinsically, shrugs it off, and chuckles at the futility of the stiff rules.
No. 006Woodville
Seona Ashton — Mixed Medium
A landscape cut apart, every piece pulled out of context and examined down to the blades of grass, unchanged, and stitched back together. History and presence sharing one canvas.
No. 005Napier
Grieving Banner by Serj Tankian — Mixed Medium
No more backyard parties, no more get-togethers, no more barbecues. Serj Tankian, a New Zealand citizen since 2007, paints grief that keeps time, in a country that still won’t say the word. G is for Genocide.
No. 004Papaieoa
Robyn Laing — Mixed Medium
During another weekend of orange wind warnings, I visit Studio 9 at Square Edge and met Robyn Laing. Our weather chitchat turned into a conversation about weathering the conditions. Robyn Laing paints the plants that grow at the edge of the world in the Manawatū.
No. 003Wellington
Jenna Lynch and Andrea Vance — Live Debate
A review of The Press Kingmakers' Debate, scored round by round — not for policy, but for control, technique, and who tapped first.
No. 002Auckland
Steve Carr — Photography
Smoke Clouds 5; from stock shots, to high-end aperture, capturing a modern Kiwi contradiction in the act, "Don't look now, but he's right over there!"
No. 001Hastings
Guy Williams — Live Comedy Show
Dragging the Toitoi Opera House into the changing rooms, Guy Williams delivered a dark, unfiltered set that had strangers applauding together over politics. Then a Hastings foyer dare, will it send Guy Williams and New Zealand Today after the mystery of Norsewood's missing trolls?
