Development AIR residency and project space are pleased to announce Auckland based artist and writer Emil McAvoy as their current Artist in Residence. McAvoy works across a range of media and seeks to directly engage contemporary cultural and political issues, often by excavating moments in our recent past. His practice interrogates the history of art’s alleged ability to act as a radical critique of society, and as a constructive force in cultural transformation. His work is particularly focused on the idea of the artist as intellectual actively participating in the public sphere. McAvoy recently graduated with a Masters Degree from the Elam School of Fine Arts, and is the recipient of a number of notable scholarships and awards.

McAvoy will utilise the residency to develop a new series of paintings, photographic and sound works, and complete a sculpture commission. He notes “I’m grateful to be given an opportunity to develop some large new works in a beautiful studio environment. Development AIR’s support will enable me to realise these endeavours, and it means a lot to me that this support comes from other practicing artists.” His new projects will be released later this year, and the public are invited to visit during an ‘open studio’ session to view and discuss work in progress over a coffee or drink.

Development AIR, a JJMorgan & Co. inspired initiative, is an artist run space with gallery and resident studio in Newmarket, Auckland. Facilitated by curator Justin Jade Morgan, artist Julian McKinnon and creative supporter Katrina Rose, Development offers a “low res” (low expectation residency) program, where artists are freed from the usual pressures to produce resolved outcomes at the conclusion of what can be a brief residency period. Instead, Development’s focus is to support artists to extend their current work, to experiment with new forms of making, and to produce public outcomes when appropriate to the project.

Open Studio: All Welcome

Sunday 11/08, 1 – 4pm

Level 1, 88 Broadway Newmarket, Auckland

The gallery will also be open by appointment during the Auckland Art Fair. To book please email: us@developmentair.org.nz or contact Justin Morgan on 021 166 2466 www.developmentair.org.nz www.emilmcavoy.com