Former Scots student Matt Gauldie returns as Artist in Residence

From 27th April – 22nd May, painter, sculptor, official New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) artist, and Old Boy of the College, Matt Gauldie, will be the 2015 ‘Museum Art Hotel Artist in Residence at Scots College’.

During the month-long residency, students aged 5-18yrs will have the rare opportunity to watch and learn first-hand from Gauldie as he produces his own artworks, as well as teaching art classes and mentoring students while based at the College’s state-of-the-art Creative & Performing Arts Centre.

“We are extremely fortunate Matt has accepted this residency, and even more so during the Centenary of WW1. His experiences as the official New Zealand Defence Force Artist for nearly a decade are unique, having served as a soldier and painter in Afghanistan, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Antarctica and northern France. Matt’s work outside of service is equally fascinating, and on top of that he’s a very professional and personable young man whom I know will relate well to our students. Matt is an Old Boy we are very proud of, and had hoped would one day return to the College to share his experiences with our students in some capacity. We’re delighted to be able to host Matt and make it happen this year,” said Headmaster Graeme Yule.

“I spent just my first few years of high school at Scots, before our family moved to Hawaii. However I have very fond memories of my time there. Art wasn’t a huge focus or strength of the College back then, but the friendships and I guess the values instilled in me at Scots have remained, no matter where life has taken me. It feels good to be returning to my old College after all these years, and I’m really looking forward to working with both the students and staff,” said Gauldie.

“My philosophy has always been ‘paint what you know’. My art is, and has always been, my own interpretation of the people I've met and the places I've been; my life and experiences along the way,” said Gauldie. “It’s about being honest and sincere in your work, and I guess that’s one of the things I’ll be encouraging students to really think about when they are creating,” he said.

Key sponsor and arts patron Chris Parkin of the Museum Art Hotel is excited about Gauldie’s residency. “We are delighted to partner with Scots to host Matt as their 2015 Artist in Residence,” said Parkin. “I have followed Matt’s career path with interest, and we are very much looking forward to hosting Matt’s public floortalk event at our hotel following the residency. Our collection already counts an artwork from Matt’s mother, painter Gail Gauldie, so we are excited to now be supporting her son. We enjoy promoting art and artists in the Capital, and this residency programme is our way of furthering that support,” he said.

“Our main objective in setting up this residency is to enable our students to personally meet and be inspired by creative professionals. It’s amazing how a single experience such as this can have quite a profound impact on a young person’s life. It could be something the artist said, or taught them, or simply watching them work, that triggers a lifelong interest or even determines a student’s future career path,” said Headmaster Graeme Yule.

“As a College we seek to provide our students with a wide variety of experiences, many of which are over and above the standard curriculum,” said Yule. “We want our boys to give everything a go, to pursue and develop their interests. Ultimately it’s about supporting them to be the best they can be, to realise their potential”.

Residency is by invitation from the College, and is open to creative professionals from all areas of the visual arts. Expressions of interest are welcomed at any time, and further information is available on the website: http://www.scotscollege.school.nz/artist-in-residence

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