Bill Manhire a New Zealand Icon
The IIML's Founding Director has been crowned an Icon by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.
Prizewinning poet, legendary creative writing teacher and founder of the IIML Bill Manhire was one of five New Zealand artists to receive Icon awards in a ceremony at Government House on May 9. The other recipients were artist Billy Apple, sculptor Fred Graham, writer Albert Wendt and composer Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead.
The Icon Awards were established by the Arts Foundation in 2003 to celebrate the achievements of artists who have had a profound impact on New Zealand. Of the thirty-eight awards made, there are now twenty living recipients. Manhire was particularly touched to receive the medallion originally held by artist Ralph Hotere and then passed on to composer Jack Body; both artists he had collaborated with during their lifetimes.