Bronze/Birthright
Waterfront Series
Thurs 20: 7:30 pm–8:30 pm
Fri 21: 7:30 pm–8:30 pm
Sat 22: 7:30 pm–8:30 pm
Sun 23: 7:30 pm–8:30 pm
Through sculptural live performance art, Bronze/Birthright delves into the intersection of Western and Indigenous narratives, using the body as a site to explore the negotiation and expression of femininity across diverse cultural frameworks.
The performance juxtaposes the stories of Pānia o te Ākau (Pania of The Reef), a Māori pūrākau from Ahuriri, and Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Sea Maid), a classic folk tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Drawing connections between their respective bronze statues - Pania on Ahuriri’s Marine Parade and Den Lille Havfrue on Copenhagen’s Langelinie promenade - the work examines the cultural and patriarchal constraints placed upon these figures, reimagining their legacies in a contemporary context.
Through the act of encasing the body in plaster and painting it, the artist is transformed into a living bronze monument, highlighting themes of confinement, transformation, and agency. Bronze/Birthright challenges traditional ideals of womanhood, investigating how these archetypes have been shaped and restricted by societal norms.
Blurring the boundaries between sculpture, performance, and mythology, this work invites audiences into a meditative exploration of identity, vulnerability, and the resilience of the feminine spirit. Bronze/Birthright offers a poetic interrogation of cultural identity and reclamation, celebrating the universal yet deeply personal stories these mermaid figures embody.
Molly Friis
Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa
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Danish/Māori interdisciplinary artist Molly Friis works across performance design, film, music, and fashion. Based in Pōneke and a 2024 graduate of Te Kura O Toi Whakaari with a Bachelor of Design for Stage and Screen, Molly’s practice is shaped by her Danish and Māori heritage.
Her work challenges conventional narrative structures, centring Indigenous and feminist perspectives to explore themes of identity, femininity, and cultural storytelling. Molly employs visceral expression and unconventional visual language to reimagine and celebrate diverse narratives, often questioning the power dynamics and cultural forces that shape our lives.
Through contemporary Māori storytelling, her works engage with issues of representation, autonomy, and cultural reclamation. Molly’s practice is marked by a commitment to pushing boundaries, creating thought-provoking and visually compelling works that invite audiences to reconsider the stories and systems that define identity and experience.