7 March 2006
Art in the Environment – Wild Creations 2006
Visual artist Monique Jansen heads for the hills this week, leaving Auckland to spend six weeks as a Wild Creations
artist in residence at Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Wild Creations, an innovative arts collaboration between the Department of Conservation and Creative New Zealand, was
established in 2002. The collaboration aims to foster links between conservation and artists by encouraging them to
create work inspired by New Zealand’s unique places, people, stories and natural environments.
Each year, three artists are selected to take up a six week residency in DOC conservancies around the country. Creative
New Zealand offers a stipend of $5,000 and up to $1,000 for travel and materials for each artist while DOC organise
accommodation and logistical support for the artists.
Creative New Zealand Chief Executive, Elizabeth Kerr says, “We have been consistently impressed by the calibre and
originality of the work produced by the Wild Creations partnership and look forward to re-discovering our New Zealand
landscape through the eyes of this year’s artists.”
Stasi Turnbull, programme coordinator for DOC says the residencies are a great way to bring together the arts and
conservation communities in New Zealand. “Wild Creations residencies provide artists with a unique experience – the
chance to focus exclusively on their art in some of the most inspiring environments in New Zealand.”
Monique was one of the successful applicants for the 2006 programme, and will be using her time in Aoraki/Mt Cook to
explore the relationship between her arts practice and this unique environment.
"I have so many ideas about what work I might make while on residency,” Monique says, “but it's hard to know exactly
what to expect and I want to remain open to new possibilities inspired by Aoraki and the region.”
Other Wild Creations recipients this year are digital media artist Naomi Lamb from Lyttleton, who takes up residency in
Karamea on the West Coast in April, and Auckland photographer Darren Glass, who heads to Tongariro National Park, Taupo
in November. More than 60 artists applied for the three 2006 residencies.
Monique will spend time with DOC staff while on her Wild Creations residency, as well as concentrating on art.
Monique says, “I am very much looking forward to working with the Aoraki/Mt Cook conservation team to learn more about
what they do and get a better understanding of the issues that face that region. Taking time out to think and look and
work and dream is a delight that can't be underestimated. I am so very grateful to DOC and Creative New Zealand for the
opportunity."
ENDS