Park artist in residence announced

Cr Coney & Derek March

Cr Coney & Nic Moon

Park artist in residence announced

14 February 2008

Sculptor Nic Moon and painter Derek March are to become the Auckland Regional Council’s very first artists in residence.

These two talented artists were chosen from over 50 applicants for the inaugural ARC Artist in Residence project.

The project offers artists the opportunity to live and work in a regional park for up to a month and develop a body of work influenced by their natural surroundings.

ARC Parks and Heritage Committee Chair Sandra Coney was part of the selection panel which, she says, was impressed with the calibre and variety of proposals put forward.

“We received so many applications we decided to establish a second residency – so we will have two very talented artists working in quite different mediums.

“Nic will work on an installation at Wenderholm, which the public can observe and engage with, while Derek will work on a wetland theme at our newly opened Atiu Creek Regional Park.

“Both artists have a strong environmental critique in their art work so they were ideal to work in our parks,” she says.

“We were looking for someone who was self sufficient, resourceful and adventurous who could immerse themselves in some of the few ‘wild’ corners left in the region,” says organiser Michelle Edge.

Artwork generated as part of the Artist in Residence project will be shared with park visitors, raising the artists profile and giving the public an opportunity to experience the park through an artist’s eyes.

Nic Moon will use Wenderholm Regional Park as her studio from 7 April 2008 and Derek March will take up his residency at Atiu Creek Regional Park on 15 March. They both welcome visitors to the park watching their work in progress.

ENDS

About Nic Moon

Auckland born Nic grew up in the region and, although she currently lives in Nelson, still considers the city her home.

She is interested in the interface between human environments and natural landscapes and will work on pieces that may include ideas or objects from Wenderholm visitors and staff.

Her works have layers of meaning and often elements about ecological awareness. Nic has an affinity for and experience of living and working in remote places.

Nic is currently exhibiting at Auckland’s Whitespace Gallery until 29 February.

About Derek March

The Bethells/Te Henga based artist has a pre-occupation with wetlands and waterways and their inhabitants. He has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows.

Painting has been Derek’s main focus over the last 12 years and his memorable exhibition Dark Waters at Lopdell House Gallery was a reflection on the transformation of the land on the Hauraki Plains and the tension between farming and the loss of wild habitat.

Derek recently painted the Falls Road bus shelter at Bethells with an array of native flora and fauna in support of the Ark in the Park project at nearby Cascade Kauri, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

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