Source: Auckland Council
Adventurous and experienced artists are invited to apply for Auckland Council’s parks-based residency. With the applications closing on 24 February 2020, now is the time to prepare and send in an application.
Auckland Council has been running the programme for 11 years with the aim of utilising original, insightful and unique artwork that interpret and promote regional parks.
“We’re delighted to call for applications for this year’s Artist in Residence,” says Cr Alf Filipaina, chairperson for Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee.
“Previous artists have brought incredible and unique perspectives about our parks over the years and I look forward to what this year’s winning artist will create.”
The eight-week stay will allow the selected artist to become attuned and influenced by the place and its inhabitants. This is a chance for artists to get out of their studio and get back to nature.
During their residency, the artist will have the opportunity to engage with local holders of knowledge including iwi, park rangers, and volunteers. Experts like archaeologists and ecologists are also available to advise the artist.
The aim of the residency is to foster awareness of park features or processes and reveal aspects overlooked or undervalued. The residency outcomes enable us to see a place through an artist’s eye and gain insight from a park resident. Artists have offered workshops, open studios and school sessions in the past which enable people to learn more about art-making processes.
For the first time collaborating with the Glenfern Sanctuary Trust, we are offering a magnificent residency site on Aotea/Great Barrier Island which overlooks Port Fitzroy. The alternative site offered in 2020 is the award-winning Shakespear Regional Park.
The 2019 Artists in Residence
The 2019 resident artists, Jenny Gillam and Eugene Hansen worked at Whatipu, (Waitakere Ranges Regional Park) during November and December 2019.
They were researching the stories about the dance floor in Te Anu Ru cave at Whatipu. Dances were held in this capacious cave from 1899 though its heyday as a social venue was probably in the 1920s.
Their findings and reflections will be revealed in an artist’s book and later in an activated dance floor installation with sound elements. The couple focused on recording visual and auditory aspects of the cave.
“We were particularly interested in mapping the unknown and documenting the unseen,” said the couple.
Jenny and Eugene have as part of their process met with Te Kawerau a Maki, Whatipu historian Bruce Harvey, Huia Museum staff, park rangers and a council archaeologist.
Their experience of living and working in the west was a happy and productive one for them and it has also triggered several ideas for future projects.
Apply now
For application forms and more details go to the Auckland Council arts website.
Applications close 24 February 2020.
Further information
- The Artist in Residence programme is in its 11th year of operation
- Regional Parks have hosted 16 artists as short-term residents
- Artists who have generated new work about the parks have included painters, composers, sculptors, a poet, and a choreographer
- Previous artists have produced: exhibitions (paintings, drawings, photography, jewellery), films, compositions, dance works, and printed works
- Residency artists are on park 24/7 and need to be independent, intrepid and flexible.
