Bekah Carran
Artist in Residence
1–30 June 2007

Shigeyuki Kihara
Artist in Residence
Artist Talk

Thursday 17 May 2007, 1pm
Room 208, 2nd Floor,
Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies
Te Ao Marama building, Arts Road (adjacent to the Macmillan Brown Library)
University of Canterbury
Free

Tuesday 22 May 2007, 1pm
Lecture Theatre 122
University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts
Free

The Physics Room is pleased to announce two Artists in Residence for 2007, Auckland-based artist Shigeyuki Kihara and Dunedin-based artist Bekah Carran. Following on from the success of The Physics Room 2006 residency, which hosted internationally renowned Berlin/Istanbul-based artist Ayse Erkmen for a 6-week residency, The Physics Room is delighted to continue this energy into the future with the announcement of these two exciting New Zealand artists for the 2007 residency.

Shigeyuki Kihara works with photographic self-portraits to explore themes of identity, ethnography, sexuality and artistic practice, which are informed by her Samoan/Japanese heritage. During her time in Christchurch Kihara will research the photographic collection at the MacMillan Brown Research Library at the University of Canterbury, and work towards the development of a new photographic series in response to early anthropological photographs of Samoan culture. Kihara will begin her 4-week residency in May 2007.

Bekah Carran’s sculptural practice is characterised by her observations of the world around which she translates into poetic installations that have a sense of optimism blended with meticulous use of materials. Carran has a BFA from Otago Polytechnic School of Fine Art, and was a member of the Blue Oyster Gallery Trust. Carran will work on research and development of a self-sustaining nomadic art shelter. She will begin her 4-week residency in June 2007.

The 2007 Physics Room Residency has been developed partnership with The Arts Centre, Christchurch, who generously supports the programme by providing accommodation and studio facilities for the artists.

The Physics Room is Christchurch’s key contemporary art organisation. We are committed to the ongoing development of contemporary art in Aotearoa/New Zealand through a range of exhibitions, programmes and publications. The Artist/Curator Residency Programme will be a key addition to our programme, which will build on The Physics Room’s already strong networks and associations with artists, curators, writers and other arts professionals in New Zealand and abroad. It will provide an opportunity for artists and curators to spend six to eight weeks in Christchurch developing new work or working towards an exhibition. The programme aims to assist in the continuing development of a sustainable visual arts culture in New Zealand.