New Zealand Army Knife (NZAK) by Matt Moriarty

Limited Edition Screenprint

Print sheet size in millimetres: 700 x 500
Edition of 100 prints. Printed, signed and numbered by Matt Moriarty.

This print is a modern NZ classic. NB: Edition 99% sold out, you are buying the last print, number 16/100.  Now Sold Out.  At first glance it’s a skillfully realised image of the pocket knife re-imagined with a New Zealand twist. However there is a deeper meaning behind this screenprint as Matt tells us in his artist’s statement that accompanies the print.

“In the late 1800s the Swiss Army equipped its soldiers with a multipurpose tool, consisting of a Blade, Screwdriver and Reamer. When American GI’s discovered this tool after World War II, the knife evolved into a mass produced product for global distribution. Swiss Army became a household brand.

In this artwork, the Swiss Army Knife symbolises the transitional movement of elements of New Zealand’s cultural identity from the realm of traditional or sub-culture into the global arena as mass-marketable commodities for the popular culture. Traditional national symbols, such as the Tiki now step onto European catwalks whilst the Silver Fern appears at global sporting events alongside some of the world’s largest multinational identities.

Whilst the exposure and merging of cultural symbolism can create exciting new context and opportunity, there is a need to preserve something of its traditional roots, exercising sensitivity towards, rather than exploiting its values. As with a knife, the difference between tool and weapon is sleight of hand.”

Shop for more prints similar to the New Zealand Army Knife (NZAK) by Matt Moriarty in these collections at New Zealand's specialist art print gallery:

Matt Moriarty Prints
Endangered Prints
Maori Art & Designs
Screen Prints
Editions by Contemporary NZ Printmakers