Wild Creations combines art and environment

6 December 2018 Wild Creations combines art and environment in a supercharged conservation story

Four New Zealand artists are set to be inspired by New Zealand’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

Wild Creations is a fusion of conservation and creativity, supporting artists to be inspired by experiencing the places, people, and stories of New Zealand’s unique natural environment and cultural heritage.

Wild Creations is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and the Department of Conservation, providing artists with access to a range of DOC experiences, such as a threatened species or historic icon experience.

Lou Sanson, DOC Director-General says, “Wild Creations enables artists to tell stories of nature through their own medium. It helps to tell the New Zealand story of conservation and bring New Zealanders a totally new appreciation of what nature means to us as a country with so many special places and species".

Its aim is to help connect more Kiwis to our natural environment and cultural heritage, said Lou Sanson.

Artists apply to CNZ for funding to take part in/observe a conservation experience and create an artwork or works based on their experience. They may work in any artform or area of arts practice supported by Creative New Zealand.

Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright said having such direct exposure to nature helps influence artists’ thinking, knowledge and practice.

“Artists who have taken part in Wild Creations have gained more appreciation of the natural environment, and also a better understanding of complex environmental issues and incorporated these into their work.

“From telling the stories of club ski-field communities to creating an audio-visual simulation of a pre-settlement Wellington waterfront and a futuristic view of how gene editing in conservation could integrate with mātauranga Māori, these are exciting projects,” he said.

This year four artists will receive Creative New Zealand funding, enabling them to experience one of several conservation environments as inspiration for three projects. The projects will take place between December 2018 and June 2019.

ends

© Scoop Media