NZ artists chosen for Asia residencies

NZ artists chosen for Asia residencies

November 3, 2016

New Zealand artists will experience the vibrancy, traditions, sights and sounds of seven Asian countries on Asia New Zealand Foundation residencies.

The Foundation has announced the successful applicants for seven of its 2017 residencies. The artists will live and work in Asia in prestigious residency organisations for three months, giving them the opportunity to meet and work with other international artists and curators.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation has run a programme of artist-in-residence opportunities in Asia since 2007, exposing New Zealand artists to new ideas and experimental art forms in some of Asia’s most vibrant cities. Since 2010, the Foundation has partnered with Creative New Zealand to deliver four residencies.

The 2017 recipients are:

• Juliet Carpenter – I: Project Space, Beijing, China

• Catherine Ellis – Surface Arts residency, Bangkok, Thailand

• Natalie Guy – Kriti Gallery, Varanasi, India

• Zahra Killeen-Chance – Taipei Artist Village, Taiwan (residency supported by Creative New Zealand)

• Richard Maloy – Youkobo Art Space, Japan (residency supported by Creative New Zealand)

• Laura Marsh – Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

• Charlotte Parallel – Instinc Gallery, Singapore (residency supported by Creative New Zealand)

Asia New Zealand Foundation director of culture Jennifer King says two of the residencies – at Singapore’s Instinc Gallery and at Kriti Gallery in Varanasi, known as India’s spiritual capital – are being offered for the first time in 2017. “Varanasi is a staggering city to experience and we’re really looking forward to seeing how New Zealand artists respond. And Instinc is in the heart of Singapore, which has a growing reputation as an international arts hub. Both residencies are incredibly supportive of artists.”

Ms King says the purpose of the residencies is to help New Zealand artists build networks in the region. “We’d like to see New Zealanders become as familiar with traditional and contemporary Asian arts forms as they are with European and North American artistic influences.”

Creative New Zealand senior manager Cath Cardiff says: ““These residences are not just creatively rewarding for New Zealand artists, they also provide the opportunity to extend international networks both in and beyond the host country, which can lead to new understandings, connections and opportunities in the long-term. We’re pleased to partner with Asia New Zealand Foundation to support the Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan residencies.”

The recipient of the residency at SeMA Nanji in Seoul, also supported by Creative New Zealand, will be announced later in the year.

Artist Paul McLachlan says his residency at Surface Arts in Bangkok this year was life-changing. “It bounced me out of Dunedin and gave me an incredible opportunity for personal growth. My work has developed into a new and unexpected direction, which I am really enjoying, and I have good creative momentum as my Bangkok project continues to evolve.”

Andrew de Freitas’ 2016 residency at Beijing’s I: Project space was “remarkably productive and stimulating”, and resulted in an exhibition focused on fast fashion and pop culture.

“Within a week of arrival, I had already made connection with a group of local artists and creative practitioners, as well as visited other residency centres, galleries, and museums and institutions.”

The residencies are one of the funding and professional development opportunities the Asia New Zealand Foundation provides for New Zealand art professionals. The Foundation also partners with Creative New Zealand on the annual Curators Tour to Asia, and is running a Performing Arts Tour to China and Thailand in November.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation with a range of programmes designed to equip New Zealanders with first-hand experience of Asia and to forge valuable links to the region. Founded in 1994, the Foundation works in five main areas - business, arts and culture, education, media and research. It also runs a Leadership Network and takes a lead role in track II (informal diplomacy) bilateral and multilateral dialogues in the Asia-Pacific region. For more information: www.asianz.org.nz

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