Creative ID: 793
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I am an Auckland-based multidisciplinary artist with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental consciousness. My creative practice encompasses sculpture, moving image, painting, installation, curation, and project development. I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design in 2017.
Over the years, my artistic journey has taken a profound turn towards sustainability and environmental consciousness. My practice revolves around the intricate relationship between humans and nature, with a particular emphasis on the impact of waste and consumption on our planet's delicate ecosystems. I'm particularly drawn to working with found and collected cast-off materials, especially single-use water bottles, by constructing them into blooms and immersive light installations that evoke wonder for our planet's precious ecosystems. I want my work to highlight the problematic aspects of current modes of production and consumption and encourage viewers to reconsider their habits and develop a deeper connection with our living earth.
My involvement with Re:Use Collective has been particularly meaningful. Together, we explore what is perceived as 'useful' and question the ways things are used, the material potential that remains after their primary use, and the potential uses beyond those intended. Our joint efforts aim to draw attention to waste's impact on the planet and inspire a more profound sense of connection to our environment. (Website links available on request.)
In summary, my arts and creative practice revolve around sustainability, environmental awareness, and community engagement. Through my art, I hope to inspire a new generation to consider: Why use something only once when it has the potential to be used again? What other purpose might it serve? How could this thing be used again? What else could it become?
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner
Over the years, my unique recycled bottle light installations have been prominently featured in renowned local shows such as Changing Lanes for Artweek Auckland, City of Colour in Auckland Central, After Dark Tauranga and Light Up Whakatane, Light Up Ponsonby as well as Elemental at Auckland Botanic Gardens. My artistic endeavours have extended beyond New Zealand's borders, with notable international exhibitions. One video installation was projected onto the internal walls of the historic Coventry Cathedral in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the renowned World Heritage and UNESCO site, The Medina of Tunis in Tunisia, hosted another captivating video installation of mine. My video series was selected for a touring exhibition which was showcased in Iran.
In 2019, I secured a residency in Cassis, France, where I resided with eight international artists. This experience not only expanded my artistic repertoire but also deepened my understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and approaches to art and the environment.
My most significant project to date was commissioned by a local Council, and opened in June of 2023. The light installation is part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate the city centre. With its semi-permanent status, the installation is poised to grace the urban landscape for a minimum of two years, serving as a captivating symbol of creativity, sustainability, and community engagement. The work is a showcase of the transformative power of art made from recycled materials, which features 2,464 Kowhai flowers meticulously crafted from 14,784 single-use plastic bottles, in collaboration with the Bay of Plenty community. Illuminated by programmable LEDs, the suspended immersive light installation transforms the downtown laneway, inviting viewers to contemplate our relationship with the environment.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
In the spirit of community engagement and environmental education, I hosted several workshops in collaboration with Envirohub Bay of Plenty for the creation of my light installation. These workshops offered participants an opportunity to actively contribute to the creation of the art installation, fostering a sense of shared ownership and pride in the final result. I also worked as an after school art tutor at several local schools. I was tasked with creating my own lesson plans for each term that fit within a given theme or concept and could relate to children of various ages and skill levels. I also worked alongside a New Zealand artist as her assistant for The Pou Project. This entailed working with children from playcentre age up until early teens over the course of several months, to assist them in contributing to her mural project.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I would be thrilled to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme, as it aligns perfectly with my artistic vision and passion for fostering creative connections within communities. As an artist deeply committed to sustainability and environmental consciousness, I see a remarkable opportunity to make a significant impact through this programme. Proposing a 'sculptural mural' made from single- use plastic bottles, created by the students of my partner-school, I see an exciting way to engage young minds in the exploration of art and its connection to environmental issues. Through this project, we can collectively redefine waste and repurpose discarded materials to create something beautiful and thought-provoking.
My involvement in the Creatives in Schools programme will allow me to share my expertise in working with found and collected cast-off materials, specifically single-use plastic bottles, to highlight the problematic aspects of our current modes of production and consumption. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative art-making, the students will not only learn about the importance of sustainability but will also gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationship between humans and nature. The Creatives in Schools programme offers a unique platform to engage with young artists, by working closely with the students, I hope to inspire them to consider their impact on the environment and empower them to become advocates for positive change. With the aim of empowering them to develop sustainable creative practices and demonstrating the material potential of items commonly perceived as ‘waste’.