Details

Fiona Pardington: The Pressure of Sunlight Falling is a remarkable exploration of history, photography, and cultural memory, showcasing the powerful work of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading contemporary photographers.

Inspired by a chance discovery in 2007, Fiona Pardington spent four years researching and photographing a remarkable collection of 19th-century life casts held at the Musée de l'Homme in Paris. Created during French explorer Dumont d'Urville's 1837–1840 Pacific voyage by phrenologist Pierre-Marie Dumoutier, the casts include Maori, Pacific, and European subjects—among them members of Pardington's own Ngai Tahu ancestry.

Through her hauntingly beautiful photographs, Pardington transforms these historical artefacts into deeply moving portraits that restore dignity, presence, and humanity to their subjects. Accompanied by essays from leading scholars of Pacific history, art, and photography, this richly illustrated volume explores colonial encounters, phrenology, identity, and the enduring power of portraiture.

Key Features:
• Showcases Fiona Pardington's acclaimed photographic series of 19th-century life casts
• Explores Maori, Pacific, and European history through art and photography
• Includes essays by leading scholars on colonial history, phrenology, and Pacific encounters
• Beautifully illustrated with evocative full-colour photographs
• Essential for readers interested in New Zealand art, photography, and cultural history

Product Details:
• Author: Kriselle Baker
• Publisher: Otago University Press
• Format: Hard Cover
• Pages: 160
• ISBN: 9781877578090

Disclaimer: COLOUR VARIATION – we try to ensure images match the actual product; slight variations may occur due to device colour settings.