MIT arts student’s prize-winning Westfield work

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

Diversity influences MIT arts student’s prize-winning Westfield work

Manukau School of Visual Arts (MSVA) student Rose Rowan’s prize-winning work depicts her appreciation of the colourful tapestry of cultures that make up the greater Counties Manukau region.

Rose (21) is one of four Manukau Institute of Technology MSVA Year 4 students commissioned by Westfield New Zealand to produce work for the newly completed development at Westfield Manukau City in the heart of Manukau. Me, You and Everyone We Nose will be unveiled in a celebratory event early next year.

“Me, You and Everyone We Nose is composed of a photographic landscape of noses, young and old, who come from an array of ethnic backgrounds. To me, they are a representation of our multi-cultural society,” says Rose.

“The opportunity to exhibit at Westfield gave me the chance to create a work I had been thinking about for some time. I am grateful for each artistic opportunity and one of the benefits of this particular one is the wide and diverse audience at Westfield Manukau City. I hope everyone will delight in the viewing of the work as much as I did in the making of it.”

She cites her artistic influences as varied because they change with each piece of work. Artist David Shrigley, Miranda July and director Jean-Pierre Jeanet were her influences for Me, You and Everyone We Nose.

Rose says her decision to study towards her Bachelor of Visual Arts degree has provided her with a deeper understanding and awareness of aesthetics and concept and she has acquired valuable skills to apply this understanding. “Over the four years I have been at MSVA I have been fully supported and challenged in learning to understand and channel my own creativity.”

Rose adds that art provides her with the vehicle to communicate her ideas about what she considers important and in the future she plans to use art as an opportunity to collaborate, communicate and “make things happen”.

Westfield New Zealand General Manager, Design, Rod Marler is pleased with the initiative. “Westfield is proud to be involved in this partnership with the Manukau Institute of Technology's School of Visual Arts. Their students have produced art work of the highest calibre, which we are only too proud to have on display in our shopping centre.

"People from Manukau have a strong tradition of over achieving in their chosen fields, and we are proud to support the development of future leaders from the region."

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