From left: Ruth Paul, Catherine Hammond, Professor Jessica Palmer, Sean Donnelly, Professor Helen Nicholson, Daisy Sanders, Emily Hartley- Skudder and Kathryn van Beek gathered for an event to formally welcome the 2023 University of Otago Arts Fellows.
The 2023 University of Otago Arts Fellows were welcomed to the University and wider Ōtepoti community at an event at the Hocken Collections on 27 April. The longstanding Arts Fellowships offer five artists from a range of disciplines the freedom, space and time to explore their creativity without financial constraints.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Te Kete Aronui Humanities Professor Jessica Palmer, and Hocken Librarian Catherine Hammond hosted the evening.
“The Arts and Humanities are crucial in what shapes us and we are proud to support the Fellows,” says Professor Palmer.
Each of the Fellows responded to the welcoming speeches from Professors Nicholson and Palmer. All spoke of their appreciation of the support they've received, and the warm welcome to the community.
Kathryn van Beek, who is this year's Robert Burns Fellow, is a multidisciplinary writer. She gave a humorous and thought-provoking speech, reflecting that as we are on the cusp of a new age of book bans and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, holding on to our humanity is of the upmost importance. She says meeting the other Fellows has been one of the highlights of an inspiring experience so far.
Sean Donnelly has returned for a second year as the Mozart Fellow. The award-winning song writer, contemporary composer and studio producer has released eight albums under the musical nom-de-plume SJD. He says he continues to enjoy the opportunity to “go out on a limb with some new and weird musical directions”.
He's grateful to have this second year to develop the myriad of ideas he had last year and finds Dunedin's geography an inspiration: “A beautiful city with beautiful people.”
Visual artist Emily Hartley- Skudder is our Frances Hodgkins Fellow. Given her artistic process begins with collecting objects and materials, she said the move from Wellington was no small feat. Part of the Frances Hodgkins Fellowship is the opportunity to exhibit in the Hocken Gallery. Emily says it is amazing to be able to delve into the Hocken Collections, and she appreciates the support she's received from the deeply knowledgeable staff.
“It is a surreal and incredible opportunity to be able to be a full-time artist for a year,” says Emily.
Children's writer Ruth Paul spoke of the freedom she is experiencing as the University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence.
“It's amazing to have this support to experiment in a way I wouldn't allow myself to at home,” says Ruth.
Ruth is a published and award-winning children's book author and illustrator of 30 titles, and, true to her productive reputation, she has set herself an ambitious plan for her time here. Visiting from Wellington, she is living in the Robert Lord writer's cottage during her term and enjoying being near her son, who is a third-year medical student at Otago.
Daisy Sanders comes to us from Wadjuk Noongar Boodjar, Perth as the Caroline Plummer Fellow in Community Dance. She feels a strong affinity with Caroline Plummer, who remained committed to dance until her untimely death in her 20s. Daisy has used dance to recover from her own chronic illness. In her Fellowship project 'A Resting Mess', she is bridging the gap between dance and health, exploring the nourishing properties of dance. She is involving the community in workshops and events, saying “rest has something for everyone, and it resonates”.
Daisy has been house-sitting in Karitane with her partner, who enjoys surfing. They've been warmly welcomed into the Karitane and Ōtepoti dance communities.
All the 2023 Fellows are involved in many community activities in Ōtepoti. There will be an open invitation event hosted by the University later in the year for anyone in our community to meet these talented artists.