Fearless and unforgettable - Peter Roche was one of New Zealand’s most provocative performance artists, before he made his name for vibrant neon sculptural works, many of which adorn our public spaces. In his early days, he engaged in visceral acts involving animal remains and high-risk stunts with chainsaws, his work blurred the line between danger and expression.
Night Piece (2024), directed by Bridget Sutherland, traces Roche’s radical journey from the late 1970s onward, when his punk-infused practice challenged conventions and redefined what art could be. Through interviews with peers and critics, rare archival footage, and glimpses inside his legendary Ambassador Theatre studio, the film offers an intimate portrait of an artist who lived entirely through his work.
Following this screening (59 mins), join the film’s Director, Bridget Sutherland and Natasha Conland, Senior Curator, Global Contemporary Art, for a short Q&A exploring Roche’s legacy and the enduring impact of his art.
The film screening coincides with the display of Ephemeral Actions: The Performance Works of Peter Roche and Linda Buis, which is on show until February. Drawing on the Peter Roche and Linda Buis Archive, this display presents photographs, artist books, writings, recordings and diaries from key performances. These materials both reveal and conceal the works, inviting you – a new audience – into an ongoing dialogue of interaction and the continuing legacy of their practice.
