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Creative ID: 162

Art form(s): Crafts/objects, Visual arts
Language(s): English
Based in: Auckland
Where I'm available:
Auckland
Auckland, however may consider driving further if supported.
When I'm available: I work casually as an art technician and photographer at galleries to support my artistic practice. My availability varies as I work project to project, so best to get in touch and enquire. I will be working towards new work for the Auckland Art Fair in April.

My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)

I primarily work in figurative wood carved sculpture though sometimes work in other sculptural materials such as clay, as well as photography, installation, film and painting.

My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with

I have always been an artist and attended Elam School of Fine Arts after completing high school, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Intermedia. At that time my work had a strong film and sound focus though it has developed into a sculpture and photographic practice. Since graduating in 2009 from Melbourne University with a Masters of Fine Arts by Research, First Class Honours, I have exhibited regularly with multiple solo exhibitions in various galleries across Australia. I have been funded through Australian Arts Council, Arts Victoria, and the City of Melbourne for my solo projects, have taken artist residencies in Indonesia and was artist in residence in Paris, France, through the Art Gallery of New South Wales. I have been the recipient of numerous awards including the Art and Australia Credit Suisse Private Banking Contemporary Art Award.

Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes

I currently teach wood carving privately from my home studio/workshop and have taught a 13-year-old boy for the past two years. Over the past year I have run two abacus-making workshops in association with exhibitions of my sculptural work in Queensland and Sydney. Both workshops were primarily aimed at adults, though there were some children, the youngest about 6 years old. Workshop numbers were capped at 30. In 2014 I was an artist in residence at a primary school as part of the Lorne Sculpture biennial. In this capacity I worked on my own projects in the classroom and gave artist talks about my work and an exhibition. After completing my Masters of Fine Arts, I taught sculpture at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University, where I had studied. This involved teaching undergraduate students from 1st to 3rd year in a variety of sculpture subjects including drawing. I have also taught photography and basic animation while on residencies in Indonesia with university fine arts students as well as community groups including children. Many years ago while studying at Elam, I also worked at the Auckland Art Gallery assisting with children's art workshops.

Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice

My recent experiences in teaching have been really exciting and I've enjoyed interacting with people creatively and sharing my passion and skills. Being an artist at times can be quite lonely work, with long hours in the studio alone, preparing for exhibitions. Teaching gives me an opportunity to share my work with people from various walks of life that may not be well versed with the gallery scene or even visit galleries very often. I believe in the Picasso quote that 'All children are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up'. I'm often amazed at the creativity of children and enjoy working with my own children and their friends on creative projects. My children have been a great source of inspiration for the physical form and direction of my artistic practice. I like the idea of experimenting with different ways of making with young people. I'm also a strong believer in the importance of creativity in education for healthy brain development. The process of art making is healthy for the soul.

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