Don Ramage was square peg in the round hole of 1960s NZ art, spending much of his career exploring industry, technology and progress - themes at odds with the NZ regionalist landscapes popular at the time. You probably haven't heard of him, and Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery wants to rectify that. Don Ramage: Steel Jungle not only gives this significant designer credit for his contribution to the history of NZ design but also reintroduces his work to a contemporary audience hungry for retro design heroes.Don Ramage was square peg in the round hole of 1960s NZ art, spending much of his career exploring industry, technology and progress - themes at odds with the NZ regionalist landscapes popular at the time. You probably haven't heard of him, and Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery wants to rectify that. Don Ramage: Steel Jungle not only gives this significant designer credit for his contribution to the history of NZ design but also reintroduces his work to a contemporary audience hungry for retro design heroes.The Napier-born artist and designer was raised in conservative heartland New Zealand in the 1930s and drawn into the Second World War at 18. His post-war works reflected the destruction of war and the rebirth of industry, both of which were to become hallmarks of Ramage's career.

Ramage supported his artwork through teaching. From the Art Master at Wellington College in the late 1940s to his appointment as a founding staff member of the country's first and most prestigious design school, he has committed himself to advancing the creative industries in New Zealand.

In his position at Wellington Polytechnic School of Design (now Massey University) Ramage fed his experience as a printmaker and graphic designer into the development of robust, sustainable and industry-led programmes. During his time as Head of School in the late 1970s, Ramage was directly responsible for setting up what are now considered the country's foremost textile design courses.

When: 15 December 2007 - 11 May 2008
Where: Hawkes Bay Museum & Art Gallery, 65 Marine Parade/9 Herschell Street, Napier

10/12/07