Applications Invited for Toi Oahu Residency Hawaii

11 December 2008

Applications Invited for Toi Oahu Residency Hawaii

Applications are now open for the Creative New Zealand Toi Oahu Residency at the University of Hawaii. The two month residency is open to established Maori artists in the fields of visual arts and craft/ object art.

The chosen artist will leave mid-September 2009 and will spend two months idea sharing, researching and creating new work. The purpose of the residency is to create an opportunity for artists to create a new body of work while sharing their skills and experience with the students and teachers at the Kamakakuokalani Centre for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaii.

Renowned clayworker Baye Riddell was the Toi Oahu Residency recipient in 2007. Baye facilitated workshops and lectures on his own practise and the development of clayworking as a contemporary Maori artform.

Baye said “The highlight of the residency for me was working with the students – being able to give something to them that hopefully will last and find expression in some way in the future. They were enthusiastic and motivated and a very committed group of young people”.

As well as using the opportunity to create his own work it was also a chance to connect with other artists at the university including Merata Mita and Fatu Feu’u.

Chair of Te Waka Toi, Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku said the Oahu residency “is an opportunity for a visual/ craft object artist to connect with artists and students at the Kamakakuokalani Centre for Hawaiian Studies. The recipient acts as an ambassador for Maori arts and culture while benefiting from the exchange and idea sharing a residency like this allows.

Applications for next year’s residency close on 2 February 2009.
Details can be obtained from www.creativenz.govt.nz or by emailing puawai.cairns@creativenz.govt.nz

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