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McCahon House Artists in Residence 2019 Announced

McCahon House Trust is delighted to announce the three outstanding New Zealand artists, Jess Johnson, Tim Wagg and Wayne Youle who have been selected for the 2019 artists’ residency programme.

Jess Johnson was born in Tauranga and in 2016 she relocated permanently to New York after twelve years of living and working in Melbourne, Australia. Her drawing and installation practice is influenced by the speculative intersections between language, science fiction, culture and technology. In her drawings she depicts complex worlds that combine densely layered patterns, objects and figures within architectural settings. Johnson’s drawings are often displayed within constructed environments that act as physical portals into her speculative worlds. Jess Johnson’s work has been exhibited throughout New Zealand and internationally where she has participated in solo and group exhibitions at; Jack Hanley Gallery, New York; Art Basel, Hong Kong; Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh; National Gallery of Victoria, Australia; Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia; and Christchurch Art Gallery, New Zealand. Her recent video collaborations with Simon Ward, Whol Why Wurld (2017), is nominated as one of the finalists for the prestigious 2018 Walters Prize Award.

Tim Wagg was born in Masterton. He graduated with a BFA (Hons) from the Elam School of Fine Arts in 2013. Working across various mediums including video, installation, and digital painting, Wagg’s work explores the intersections of politics, identity and technology within the context of New Zealand. More specifically, his work considers the tangibility and intangibility of archives and histories, and examines the visual languages surrounding moments of political upheaval or change. Wagg’s work has been exhibited throughout New Zealand including Hocken Collections, Dunedin; Adam Art Gallery, Wellington; The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt; The Engine Room, Wellington; Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Dunedin; Artspace, Auckland; Blue Oyster Art Project, Dunedin, The Physics Room, Christchurch; Window Gallery, Auckland. His work Psychology for a Better World (curated by Victoria Wynne-Jones) is currently bring shown at Patara Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia. Wagg is currently based in Auckland.

Wayne Youle (Nga Puhi, Ngati Whakaeke, Ngati Pakeha) was born in Wellington. He gained a Bachelor of Design from the Wellington Polytechnic School of Design in 1999. His bicultural heritage is reflected in his work, addressing issues of identity, race and the commodification of cultural symbols. He often uses humour to make his point. Wayne Youle’s work has been shown in national museums and public galleries throughout New Zealand and overseas. Wayne’s work is held in both public and private collections throughout New Zealand and overseas including Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, The Sir James Wallace Collection, Chartwell Collection, Wellington City Council Collection. In 2010 Youle was the Rita Angus Resident, in 2012 was the SCAPE/ Artspace, Sydney resident and in 2014 was the friends of Pataka Resident. He currently works and lives with his partner and his three sons in North Canterbury.

These three artists have been selected because their practice demonstrates an ambition and level of critical thinking that will benefit from a 3-month supportive residency enabling them to challenge and develop their practice and achieve their ambitions through creative risk taking.

During their residency, located in the purpose built studio and accommodation adjacent to McCahon House Museum in French Bay Titirangi, the artists will engage with local community and artists though a public programme that includes studio visits and talks. Each artist will contribute a work to the McCahon House Artists Residency collection and gift work for fundraising purposes. Alumni work can be viewed in the halls of the Lopdell Precinct.

The residencies are supported through investment funding from Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa. The Trust receives generous support from several organisations and philanthropists including: The Trusts Community Foundation, Foundation North and Waitakere Ranges Local Board.

For additional details please see www.mccahonhouse.org.nz/Residency