Jeffry Feeger from Papua New Guinea has been announced as the successful recipient of the inaugural Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust and Pacific Cooperation Foundation Artist Residency 2009.

The residency aims to give a Pacific Island artist from outside New Zealand the opportunity to meet and interact with the local art community. Jeffry Feeger from Papua New Guinea has been announced as the successful recipient of the inaugural Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust and Pacific Cooperation Foundation Artist Residency 2009.

The residency aims to give a Pacific Island artist from outside New Zealand the opportunity to meet and interact with the local art community. Jeffry is a 26-year-old artist whose passion and commitment to art were evident in his application. Deborah White, who's been facilitating the project, commented that the selection panel were unanimous in their decision to offer him the residency.

"We're aware that Jeffry's had minimal formal art tuition but has been able to support himself through his artistic talents for the past seven years," says Deborah.

"We hope that he'll be able to maximise his time here in Auckland by networking and experiencing the New Zealand art scene," she adds.

Organised by Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust and sponsored by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, the residency provides the artist with return airfares, accommodation and a stipend for the six week duration.

Jeffry has been offered the gift of time and support to visit galleries and libraries and to utilise public institutions for research. There is also the chance to participate in several Pacific-related events held in Auckland during March, and to network and make contacts that will assist him in continuing his own art-making when he returns home.

Jeffry will arrive in Auckland in late February and will be available for interviews during his stay.

Image: Jeffry Feeger with his painting, A New Bougainville, 2006.