The Dark is Light Enough: Ralph Hotere, a biographical portrait - Vincent O’Sullivan

Winner of the general non-fiction award, 2021 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

Sir Vincent O’Sullivan (1937-2024) has written a compelling, nuanced portrait of the great New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere that brings the man and his art to life.

Ralph Hotere (Te Aupouri and Te Rarawa; 1931–2013) was one of Aotearoa’s most significant modern artists.

Hotere invited the poet, novelist and biographer Vincent O’Sullivan to write his life story in 2005.

Now, this book — the result of years of research and many conversations with Hotere and his fellow artists, collaborators, friends and family — provides a nuanced, compelling portrait of Hotere: the man, and the artist.

"Vincent O’Sullivan has given us the remarkable story of a small boy, Hone Papita Raukura Hotere — born in 1931 near Mitimiti on the coastal edge of the Hokianga — who first becomes Rau, then Ralph, and eventually an iconic, stand-alone signature: HOTERE. I love the tale about Ralph being invited to explain his work to the Queen. It’s not hard to guess how he must have felt. Now he would simply be able to hand Her Majesty a copy of this book, give one of his quiet coughs, and say, ‘Here you go, this should do the trick’."
— BILL MANHIRE

"Ka rawe! This rangatira book by Vincent O’Sullivan leaves no doubt as to Ralph Hotere’s position on the paepae of New Zealand artists."
— WITI IHIMAERA

Penguin, 2020. Trade paperback. 368 pages. 

ISBN: 9780143775157

Condition: secondhand paperback in very good condition. Tiny tear to side of rear cover visible in photograph.