Creative Connections – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Mandy Patmore is a multi-media environmental artist living in Karekare, on Auckland’s west coast. 

Primarily a painter, Mandy's current work focuses largely on deforestation and habitat loss in New Zealand, and the plight of many endangered native species, whilst exploring themes of colonisation and human impact on our landscape.

I find the work Mandy does in the community, with the environment and her own art practice super inspiring and this is a fantastic episode I know you'll gain many things from. We talk about the Piha domain footbridge project she completed in 2009 which won the NZ Recreation Association Award for most outstanding project and other projects she has done to highlight environmental issues.

Mandy tells us all about the Kōkano Youth Arts Collective which was developed from a pilot programme in 2013 as a response to recognising the needs of some of the most vulnerable young people in West Auckland; all of whom have struggled with mainstream education. She shares the challenges and highlights of working with at risk youth and what she has learnt.

We talk about how Mandy manages all the things in her life and how they all connect, her art practice, her love of using found surfaces and timber to paint on, why she wants to diversify within her art practice, who and what has influenced her practice. We discuss funding, self doubt and how she sometimes feels some form of shame around creating realistic works that may seem more about beautification than the message she is trying to convey.

As this episode goes live Mandy will be listening from her latest residency in Peru, which I'm following with fascination on her socials.
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/post/creative-matters-with-mandy-patmore

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Born and raised in Auckland, Dita Angeles completed her BFA at Whitecliffe College in 2004 before spending the majority of her career in Asia and more recently Australia.

With a strong background in portraiture - social presentation, perception and persuasion are the dominant themes that run through Dita's work.  Her paintings are inspired by existential philosophies and 20th century aesthetics, and depict social issues and personal moments that incorporate the spectacle of contemporary culture, paying close attention to behaviour, ego, identity and anonymity.

We have a fascinating honest chat about the difficulties of moving to other countries and trying to maintain an art practice, creating new contacts and artistic communities and then also the challenges of returning to NZ and again building her community and promoting her work. Dita talks about a traumatic medical event she experienced in Hong Kong which left her disabled and how this has affected her life.

She speaks of her photographic practice, how important composition is for her, how she has to see something to paint it and likes to use her own photography or found images for her work with an emphasis on anonymity and how she sometimes uses herself as a subject but in that case sees herself as a character playing a role. 

We talk about her striking upcoming show #Iconograph, which is showing at The Grey Place in Auckland from September 3rd - September 14th 2024. We discuss the symbols in these works such as leather and sunglasses and the icon references she incorporates.

Dita talks in depth about other portraiture series of works - The Post Mod Wallflowers which she showed at the Auckland Art Show in 20, The Gentleman's Club referencing the Me Too movement and her ongoing series Compositions of Identity which are thought provoking cropped images of people at a party in the mid 20th century. We discuss her amazing painting "It's love" of NZ musician Chris Knox which is a finalist in the Adam Portraiture award 2024, and how this came about.

And she shares how people often don't connect her as the artist of her work and how anti-climatic it feels for her when she finishes a painting. And so much more!

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Jamie Adamson is a sculptor based in East Auckland. 

He works in a range of materials including rimu, pine, oak, pohutukawa, maple, walnut and steel. The timber pieces utilise steam bending techniques; while the steel works involve meticulous welding to create seamless forms. 

With a background in boat building, design and business, Jamie now works full time on his sculptural art practice. 

In this episode Jamie shares how and why he started making sculptures in 2013, the success of his first solo show at Railway Street Gallery + Studios, some random positive feedback he received from a guy who turned out to be no other than artist Billy Apple and how he went on to have more sell out solo shows early in his art career.

He speaks about how he manages showing his work with 5 galleries across Aotearoa plus commissions and art shows such as Art in the Park and why he still likes to exhibit at some of the school art shows. Although he admits he finds talking about his work difficult, when he starts speaking about his fascinating process with both wood and steel he gets on a roll. His passion and drive is really evident and infectious. I really enjoyed chatting to Jamie.

Ngā mihi nui, thank you so much to Turua Gallery for kindly sponsoring this episode https://turuagallery.co.nz

DUALITY

Jamie Adamson & Georgina Hoby Scutt 

26 July - 7 August 2024

Opening night from 5pm, Friday 26 July

“Duality" unites the wonderful warm tones of both Georgina’s painted landscapes & still life with Jamie’s wood wall sculptures.

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Toipoto (which means Closer Together in Te Reo Maori))  is a free mentoring programme for the creative sector in Auckland NZ. Developed from The Big Idea's popular Mentoring in the Arts format, Toipoto has been expertly designed for those starting out or looking to build momentum in their creative journey, who are driven to build a sustainable and rewarding career in the arts.

Today we are thrilled to be speaking with Dina Jezdic, a mentor and director from Toipoto.

Toipoto helps you connect with the people and pulse of the arts sector and gives you the tools and tips you need to thrive. 

It doesn’t matter what your creative background is - visual artist, performance artist, event planner, producer, game developer, musician or the countless other disciplines the arts sector embraces - Toipoto has mentors with real-life knowledge and experience to help make your career sustainable and rewarding.  

You can learn more about this amazing creative mentoring programme and potential opportunity at thebigidea.nz/toipoto 

Ko koe tēnā ko au tēnei kīwai o te Kete

You take that handle and I'll take this handle of the kete. Working together we will succeed.     

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Eric Schusser is a photographer from Central Otago in New Zealand. He has a diverse style and portfolio that includes social documentary, abstract works and fine art imagery. His work is often project based and he's fascinated by the power of text and photo together. 

He is drawn to the big skies, dramatic weather and season changes and the graphic wide-open spaces of the South Island of New Zealand, which he has explored extensively in his 36 year career as an Outdoor Education teacher.  He is fascinated by the simplicity and complexity of light, form, line and shadow. 

Eric's photographic practice is expanding and he is developing an interest in the abstract beauty to be found in urban spaces and to appreciate people more and the importance of telling stories. 

Eric is intrigued by photo books and has published 4 books, 2 of which are collaborative works with his wife Annemarie Hope- Cross, exploring her journey with breast cancer and his role as caregiver. 

He wants his viewer to make an emotional intimate connection to an image, project or photo story where something resonates with their life experience, their humanity. This intimate, emotional style reflects his involvement over thirteen years as both a search and rescue volunteer and thirty plus years as a volunteer frontline ambulance officer/ EMT. 

You can see images of Eric's beautiful photographs on our blog which is on our website https://www.creativematters.co.nz/post/creative-matters-with-eric-schusser 
and on his website http://www.ericschusser.com.

Eric has some truly moving messages for sufferers and carers going through cancer and how creativity and collaboration has helped him and his wife Annemarie through the tough times, as well as a super interesting story about his creative journey and practice. 

You can hear Annemarie's story on our previous episode, episode 39.







About your host:
Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/

She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.

​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.

Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-development
Visual art creative workshops and experiences for children:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-children
Public art projects and creative opportunities  in the community
https://www.creativematters.co.nz

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Ngā mihi, thanks for listening!

Follow CREATIVE CONNECTIONS on Instagram

Learn more about Creative Connections and see images of each guests work and relevant links on our blog

EPISODE 39: Photographic artist Annemarie Hope-Cross was born in Wellington NZ, grew up in Auckland and has lived in Alexandra, Central Otago, since 2008.

Annemarie uses three historic processes that date back 180 years to early pioneering photography techniques, some of which are referred to as camera-less  photography.

Her mousetrap camera is set up outside in her back garden. It takes six to eight hours to create the images and a lot of hoping the weather does not change in the meantime.
"It can be fraught with peril but it’s the part I enjoy." says Annemarie. "It’s serendipitous but nothing is guaranteed in life."

Annemarie works intuitively; aware, but not restrained by those who have gone before. She makes images to comment, to appreciate our world and to satisfy her heart and mind. She shares her work hoping that the images she makes will speak to others.
Her work makes up the world's second-largest collection of photogenic drawings.

In August 2017 Annemarie was diagnosed with  a rare triple negative, aggressive form of breast cancer at the age of 49. She wants to tell people ''the positive stories of breast cancer', of ploughing through, taking on challenge and accepting the changes cancer can bring."

As Annemarie and her husband Eric Schusser are both photographers they are in the unique position of being able to work together and put on paper the journey many go through as sufferers and carers dealing with cancer.

It was a privilege to speak with Annemarie today. Her story of her unique photographic practice and creative process and how it is connected to her journey with breast cancer is inspirational and heartwarming.

https://www.instagram.com/annemariemakesphotographs/   https://annemariehopecross.com






About your host:
Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/

She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.

​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.

Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-development
Visual art creative workshops and experiences for children:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-children
Public art projects and creative opportunities  in the community
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-communities

Support the show

Ngā mihi, thanks for listening!

Follow CREATIVE CONNECTIONS on Instagram

Learn more about Creative Connections and see images of each guests work and relevant links on our blog

Erika Pearce is a multi-disciplinary artist born in Auckland Aotearoa NZ and now based in the beautiful Bay of Islands. She is well known for her large scale murals, vibrant artwork and strong female portraits. Her mural artwork can be found throughout New Zealand, from Northland to Bluff,  as well as in Fiji, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and the USA. 

Erika is a dedicated ocean conservationist and is deeply motivated to inspire communities to care for and protect their coastlines and surrounding waters. The creation of her large scale ocean murals has a really positive impact by opening up conversations with people of all ages.

She is inspired by plants, animals, the ocean and our human connection to the natural world. 

When she is not painting, she can be found out in the garden tending her dahlias, raiding the veggie patch or hanging out with her ducks.

Hear about Erika's varied art practice, the amazing process of creating a large scale mural, Erika's philosophies on working and living intuitively and living your best life, her passion for dressing up and the Burning Man festival and soo much more!

"Chase the magic |  If it was meant for you it already was | your time will come".
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/post/creative-matters-with-erika-pearce
https://erikapearce.co.nz/ 

https://www.facebook.com/erikapearceartist
https://www.instagram.com/erikapearce.artist 

About your host:
Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/

She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.

​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.

Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-development
Visual art creative workshops and experiences for children:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-children
Public art projects and creative opportunities  in the community
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-communities

Support the show

Ngā mihi, thanks for listening!

Follow CREATIVE CONNECTIONS on Instagram

Learn more about Creative Connections and see images of each guests work and relevant links on our blog

Philippa Bentley is a multi-disciplinary artist inspired by nature, with ecology and environmental concerns at the heart of her work. 

​ While primarily known as a painter and printmaker, Philippa incorporates a range of media and processes in her art practice. She is interested in the intersection of art, design, science and technology and the possibilities this brings."

"We are an island nation" explains Philippa - "New Zealand  begins with the sea and ends with the sea - and we all have a relationship with the water. Listen to the sea, it has something to say to you." 

It is not surprising that Philippa's work is so connected to and informed by the sea and reflects her careful observation and love of the natural world, overlaid with a layer of contemplation. 

​Philippa has become increasingly concerned with the global impact of environmental issues and this has been reflected in the development of her work over the last few years. Sea charts have become her symbol of navigating our way forward, plotting a course through these troubled, uncharted waters. 

https://www.philippabentley.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/philippabentley




About your host:
Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/

She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.

She worked for 4 years as an art educator at the Auckland Art Gallery - New Zealand's largest and finest gallery - designing and delivering visual arts programmes to primary, secondary and special needs children, as well as Professional Development courses for teachers.

​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.

Seven years on, Creative Matters has blossomed into a well known company with a team of passionate art educators and administrators.  Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers:
 https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-development
Visual art creative workshops and experiences for children:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-children
Public art projects and creative opportunities  in the community
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-communities

Support the show

Ngā mihi, thanks for listening!

Follow CREATIVE CONNECTIONS on Instagram

Learn more about Creative Connections and see images of each guests work and relevant links on our blog

Lucy Davidson is a contemporary landscape painter from the Tutukaka Coast in Northland NZ, currently living in Auckland. Her abstract paintings explore the notion that nature and human emotion are interconnected and affect each other. 

To Lucy,  Memories are inherent in our natural landscape and she uses colour to highlight the things we might miss in our daily encounters with natural elements. 

Her experiences at Elam School of Fine Arts (Auckland NZ) and in the film, TV and design industries in twenties have informed her painting practice and she is now a full time artist at the age of 30. She has created a busy practice and an inspiring life for herself that allows for freedom, flexibility and creativity.

https://lucydavidson.nz/ 

https://www.facebook.com/lucydartist/ 

https://www.instagram.com/lucyd_art/?hl=en






About your host:
Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/

She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.

She worked for 4 years as an art educator at the Auckland Art Gallery - New Zealand's largest and finest gallery - designing and delivering visual arts programmes to primary, secondary and special needs children, as well as Professional Development courses for teachers.

​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.

Seven years on, Creative Matters has blossomed into a well known company with a team of passionate art educators and administrators.  Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers:
 https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-development
Visual art creative workshops and experiences for children:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-children
Public art projects and creative opportunities  in the community
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-communities

Support the show

Ngā mihi, thanks for listening!

Follow CREATIVE CONNECTIONS on Instagram

Learn more about Creative Connections and see images of each guests work and relevant links on our blog

Jenny McLeod is a contemporary glass artist from West Auckland, NZ. She creates quality, original functional glassware, sculpture, garden art, installation and exhibition work and enjoys using glass for a modern environment in a non-fragile way. Her two 6 cubic foot kilns in her workshop at home give her the control required to fuse and slump cut and layered sheet glass. 

Much of her work is mixed media , incorporating a variety of materials including concrete, resin beads, wood, pumice, shells, feathers and a NZ native fibre, Harakeke.  Jenny enjoys working with all these materials and is inspired by their natural quality and the unlimited possibilities of combining them with glass.

Jenny's Whitianga farming upbringing on the Coromandel Peninsula in NZ, nature  and the Pacific are constant reference points and inspiration for her work.

http://www.jmcleodglass.co.nz/ 

https://www.facebook.com/JennyMcLeodGlass 

https://www.instagram.com/jennymcleodglass/

About your host:
Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/

She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.

She worked for 4 years as an art educator at the Auckland Art Gallery - New Zealand's largest and finest gallery - designing and delivering visual arts programmes to primary, secondary and special needs children, as well as Professional Development courses for teachers.

​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.

Seven years on, Creative Matters has blossomed into a well known company with a team of passionate art educators and administrators.  Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers:
 https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-development
Visual art creative workshops and experiences for children:
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-children
Public art projects and creative opportunities  in the community
https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-communities

Support the show

Ngā mihi, thanks for listening!

Follow CREATIVE CONNECTIONS on Instagram

Learn more about Creative Connections and see images of each guests work and relevant links on our blog