Who painted The Known Unknown?

The Known Unknown was painted by Gillian Golding in 2013.

Where can I see The Known Unknown?

The Known Unknown is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

The Known Unknown

Gillian Golding , 2013

The Known Unknown is a print by Gillian Golding. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Parallel Prints 2013 NZ-UK is a collaborative print portfolio produced by Wharepuke Print Studio in Kerikeri, New Zealand.

About this work

It’s part of a special portfolio that came out at the same time in New Zealand and the UK.

This is a 2013 print by Gillian Golding. It’s part of a special portfolio that came out at the same time in New Zealand and the UK. The print was made to travel between galleries in both countries.

The portfolio had 12 artists total. Half were British or based in the UK. The other half were from New Zealand. It was all organized by Wharepuke Print Studio in Kerikeri.

Check out more work by Golding, Gillian.

Overview

Parallel Prints 2013 NZ-UK is a collaborative print portfolio produced by Wharepuke Print Studio in Kerikeri, New Zealand. It was designed for simultaneous debut in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom, reflecting a transnational exchange between artists from the two countries. The portfolio includes twelve original prints, each created by a different artist, and was distributed across paired exhibitions to foster cultural dialogue through printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The portfolio does not center on a single theme but instead presents individual artistic responses to shared conditions of place, technique, and cross-cultural exchange. Each print functions as a personal expression, yet collectively they form a dialogue between British and New Zealand perspectives. The absence of a unified subject allows the works to stand as independent voices within a coordinated framework of international collaboration.

Technique & Style

The works in the portfolio employ a range of traditional and contemporary printmaking methods, including etching, linocut, and screenprint. Styles vary from precise linear detail to expressive abstraction, reflecting the diverse approaches of the twelve artists. The technical diversity underscores the portfolio’s emphasis on individual practice within a collective structure, highlighting the adaptability of print as a medium for cross-cultural exchange.

History & Provenance

Produced in 2013 by Wharepuke Print Studio, the portfolio was conceived as a dual-launch project, with exhibitions opening concurrently in both nations. It was organized to facilitate direct artistic and institutional connections between New Zealand and the UK. Gillian Golding’s contribution was one of twelve prints included, each selected to represent a distinct voice within this transpacific initiative.

Context

The portfolio emerged during a period of growing interest in transnational print networks, responding to increased mobility and collaboration among artists in the global art world. By pairing artists from New Zealand and the UK, it aligned with broader efforts to decentralize art production and challenge Eurocentric narratives. The project’s structure emphasized parity, with equal representation from both nations and no single dominant cultural framework.

Legacy

Parallel Prints 2013 NZ-UK remains a documented example of artist-led international collaboration in printmaking. While not widely exhibited since its initial launch, it contributes to the archive of cross-cultural print projects that prioritize dialogue over spectacle. Its structure continues to serve as a model for future initiatives seeking to connect geographically distant artistic communities through shared material practices.