Endeavour by Anton Maurer
- 14 July 2024
"Anton Maurer’s Endeavour is a series visualising the impacts of capitalism and colonisation on Aotearoa. Made from 2012–2017 the works challenge viewers to question their perception of this land and the narratives most commonly associated with it." [https://www.badnewsbooks.com/books-by-us/antonmaurerendeavour]
III, p.8, Upper Nihotupu Dam, 2014
III, p.10, Waitaki Hydroelectric Scheme, MacKenzie Basin, 2013
IV, p. 17, Taharoa Mining Investments, 2016
VI, p.25, Pokeno
Each of the works in this book is a beautiful landscape image of a scenic view in New Zealand, yet each also reveals the destruction caused by industrialisation, colonisation, and capitalism. I struggle to capture this duality in my work.
A powerful book with no words, but the photographs do all the work required. The title 'Endeavour' plays on Captains Cook's ship (colonisation) and capitalism (endeavour), adding to the power of this small strong book.
An apology, especially to Anton - these photographs are mine, taken directly from the book in the library.