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The Rita Angus Residency was recently resurrected with the help of Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec).  After a two year hiatus, the Rita Angus cottage will once again have an artist in residence thanks to a new initiative between the Thorndon Trust and their recently acquired tertiary partner WelTec.

In addition to the use of the Rita Angus cottage and a weekly stipend, in partnership with Creative NZ, WelTec’s School of Creative Technologies has agreed to provide the artist in residence with access to cutting edge facilities and technologies which include laser cutters, and CNC machinery. 

This year’s artist in residence is the celebrated and controversial artist, Wayne Youle, well known for his provocative art practice which provides a tongue-in-cheek commentary on bi-cultural stereotypes and presents a fresh look at modern cultural perspectives.   

It was the focus on the interplay between technology and art which first attracted Wayne to the Rita Angus Residency.  He states the access to facilities and technical support provided by WelTec, proved a key incentive to considering the potential of the opportunity.  

A prolific artistic with a decade of regular exhibitions across Australasia and abroad, Wayne finally has the opportunity to dust off some of his more adventurous ideas.  He says the residency will allow him to bring concepts to life that had been shelved due to a lack of access to the right technologies.

“I have had some of these ideas written down on paper for years and now is the time to get cracking.  I have already started to source materials and have started to search for taxidermy animals.”  The residency commences in August and will run towards the end of the year, with a series of work scheduled to be finished in November

During the residency Wayne will focus on exploring the beneficial and the negative aspects of the introduction of technology to Maori culture.  He explains, “there was a lot of good that came from the introduction of a new culture (people) and the technology that came with that culture, just as there were undeniably negative elements of the introduction of those technologies.  My work during the residency will explore the impact of technology, both negative and positive.”

Head of WelTec’s School of Creative Technologies, Teriu Lemon, is pleased with WelTec’s partnership with the Thorndon Trust and its successful outcome.  “As an Institute of Technology we are principally concerned with the needs of our community.  We work with a range of agencies, organisations and trusts which include WETA, Saatchi and Saatchi, Grow Wellington and of course the Thorndon Trust.  These collaborations with industry both benefit our students, and add value to the wider Creative Industries within New Zealand.    

“In this case we have the technology and expertise to help forward the endeavours of a renowned artist, and in turn our students will benefit from the opportunity to learn from him.  Students will have the opportunity to watch a successful creative professional practising first hand, as they work alongside him in the creative workshops.” 

The Thorndon Trust is also positive about the new partnership and is happy to once again have an artist in the Rita Angus Cottage.  “We are absolutely delighted, says Margaret Cochran, Chair of the Thorndon Trust, “We needed a partner and WelTec contributed the energy, interest and achievement to reinstate the residency.  We are thrilled to partner with WelTec.”.

Image:  Artist Wayne Youle benefits from resurrected Rita Angus Residency.