News Release
Tuesday 27 April 2010

Karl Chitham appointed Rotorua’s new Artist in Residence

ROTORUA 27.04.10: Visual artist Karl Chitham is Rotorua’s new artist in residence.

The Hamilton-based artist has a masters degree in Sculpture from Elam School of Fine Arts, with an undergraduate degree in Jewellery, and experience as an arts advisor, gallery and museum curator, lecturer and arts writer.

Rotorua District Council arts officer and residency coordinator Kiri Jarden says he was selected from an extraordinarily high calibre of applicants for the Rotorua Artist in Residence programme.

“We’re excited to have Karl on board. His work traverses fable and fact employing written, digital and sculptural art forms. Truth and cultural history are key elements to much of his works.”

During Mr Chitham’s residency, he will focus on early tourism, particularly cultural imagery. Central to the narrative is the character Lady Putiputi (Penelope Simcock), a collector of ephemera and items relating to New Zealand tourism.

“Karl will recreate elements of Lady Putiputi’s legacy as he imagines them – and what better place than Rotorua for a project of this nature,” says Ms Jarden.

Mr Chitham will share his project and career experiences at a public presentation at Waiariki Institute of Technology on May 13 from 4.30pm in the I Block Lecture Room. Work will also be on display at Waiariki from May 28 to June 25 in the I Block Atrium.

Drawings and maquettes will be displayed at Rotorua Arts Village Te Whare Toi on Hinemaru Street from May 24 to June 6.

The Rotorua Artist in Residence programme is supported by Rotorua District Council, Rotorua Trust, Creative Communities, Millennium Hotel, Waiariki Institute of Technology and Rotorua Arts Village Te Whare Toi.

More details can be found at www.creativerotorua.org.nz

[ENDS]

© Scoop Media