kids encyclopedia robot

John Pule facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
John Pule

John Pule in 2024 (cropped).jpg
Pule in 2024
Born
John Puhiatau Pule

(1962-04-18) 18 April 1962 (age 63)
Liku, Niue
Citizenship Niue, New Zealand
Occupation Artist, novelist and poet
Awards
  • Art residency at Roemerapotheke, Basel, Switzerland (2004)
  • Prestigious Laureate Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand (2004)
  • Ursula Bethell Residency in Creative Writing at the University of Canterbury (2013)

John Puhiatau Pule (born 18 April 1962) is a famous artist, writer, and poet from Niue. He is known for his amazing artwork and stories. Many people, like the Queensland Art Gallery, say he is one of the most important artists from the Pacific region.

Early Life of John Pule

John Pule was born on 18 April 1962 in a place called Liku in Niue. When he was just two years old, in 1964, he moved to New Zealand. He went to school at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland. After school, he worked in different jobs, like on a dairy farm and in factories.

John Pule's Writing and Poetry

John Pule started writing because he wanted to share his experiences. He said he wanted to write about growing up in New Zealand. He also wanted to write about being the youngest of 17 children and about moving to a new country.

He felt that writing helped him understand his own culture better. He explained that his heart was always in Niue, even though he lived in New Zealand. Writing and painting helped him connect with his home. He would often go back to Niue to visit his family's graves. This was his way of saying, "I'm back."

Novels by John Pule

John Pule has written several novels. His first book was called The Shark that Ate the Sun. It came out in 1992. This book tells stories from his early life and what it was like to be an immigrant. Later, he wrote Burn My Head in Heaven in 2000. His third novel, Restless people, was published in 2004.

John Pule's Poetry

He has also published many poetry collections. Some of his poetry books include Sonnets to Van Gogh and Providence (1982) and Flowers after the Sun (1984). Another important work is The Bond of Time: An Epic Love Poem, which was first published in 1985.

Awards and Recognition for John Pule

John Pule has received many awards for his writing and art. In 2000, he was a special writer at the University of Auckland. He also spent time as a visiting writer at the University of Hawaiʻi in 2002.

In 2004, he won the important Laureate Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. This award celebrates top artists. In 2012, he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This was for his great work as a writer, poet, and painter. He also received a writing residency at the University of Canterbury in 2013.

His poetry was part of a show called UPU. This show featured works by many Pacific Island writers. It was first performed at the Auckland Arts Festival in 2020.

John Pule's Artwork

John Pule's art includes many different forms. He creates paintings, drawings, and prints. He also makes films and does performance art. His art often explores ideas about Niuean beliefs and Christianity. He also looks at themes of moving to new places and colonialism.

He paints on both canvas and traditional bark cloth. Bark cloth painting is an old art form from Polynesia.

In 2005, John Pule co-wrote a book called Hiapo: Past and present in Niuean barkcloth. This book was about the traditional Niuean art of bark cloth. He wrote it with an expert named Nicholas Thomas.

Exhibitions of John Pule's Art

Since 1991, John Pule's art has been shown in many places. He has exhibited his work in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the USA, the Pacific, and Asia. He has had solo shows in New Zealand and Australia. His work has also been featured in major art events like the Asia-Pacific Triennials at the Queensland Art Gallery.

His painting Tukulagi tukumuitea (meaning Forever and ever) was even on the cover of an exhibition catalog in 2006. His art has been part of many group shows around the world. These include exhibitions at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki and the Asia Society Museum in New York.

In 2010, an art show called Hauaga (Arrivals) featured Pule's work. This show started at City Gallery Wellington and then traveled to other galleries in New Zealand.

Where to See John Pule's Art

John Pule's artwork is kept in many important art collections. You can find his pieces in places like the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane. His art is also at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. In New Zealand, his work is held at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. Some of his art is even in the National Museum of Scotland.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: John Pule para niños

kids search engine
John Pule Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.