Shigeyuki Kihara awarded 2014 Samoa Artist-In-Residence

Interdisciplinary artist Shigeyuki Kihara awarded 2014 Samoa Artist-In-Residence

Internationally acclaimed Samoan interdisciplinary artist Shigeyuki Kihara will undertake a three-month artist residency at the National University of Samoa from August to October.

Offered by the university in partnership with Creative New Zealand the residency gives Pasifika artists, resident in New Zealand, an opportunity to develop their skills and practice.

A native of Samoa, Shigeyuki Kihara is an interdisciplinary artist whose work engages in a variety of social, political and cultural issues. Often referencing history, her work explores the varying relationships between gender, race, culture and politics.

During her residency at the National University of Samoa Kihara will engage with the students and the local arts community by:

· presenting a series of lectures based on her work and works of other artist in New Zealand and internationally

· collaborating with selected artists from diverse disciplines based in Samoa to explore the themes and ideas behind their work

· presenting a paper at the Third Samoa Conference hosted by the National University of Samoa

· researching future projects to be held in Samoa.

“We are delighted to have Shigeyuki undertake this residency. Her work is attracting international attention and we are excited to see how she will use this opportunity to further her practice and unique perspective,” says Arts Council Pacific representative Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

Kihara’s works and performances have been presented internationally, including the Asia Pacific Triennial (2002), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (solo exhibition, 2008), Auckland Triennial (2009), Sakahàn Quinquennial (2013) and Daegu Photo Biennial (2014). Kihara is a recipient of the New Generation Award from the Arts Foundation (2012) and Paramount Winner of the 21st Annual Wallace Art Award (2012). Past residencies include Theater Hebbel um Ufer, Berlin (2012) and International Studio and Curatorial Program, New York (2013).

Her current national touring exhibition is titled Shigeyuki Kihara; Undressing the Pacific – a mid-career survey spanning over a decade of her practice organised by Hocken Collections of University of Otago. The exhibition was recently presented at Auckland’s Wallace Arts Centre and will open at Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History in Palmerston North on 18 July.

The annual Creative New Zealand and the National University of Samoa Artist-in-Residence provides up to $15,000 for an artist’s stipend, accommodation and travel costs. Established by the former Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand in 2006, previous recipients include Lemi Ponifasio, the Vahine Collective, Tiffany Singh, Jim Vivieaere, Nathaniel Lees and Fiona Collins.

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