Artist Talk: Sarah Smuts-Kennedy

On Sunday 24 September at 1pm, artist Sarah Smuts-Kennedy will be presenting an artist talk at Te Uru about her McCahon House residency exhibition, in conversation with University of Auckland Media and Communications Professor, Laurence Simmons, and contemporary art curator Natasha Conland. Following the talk, from 3pm there will be an opening at McCahon House Museum of video work made by Smuts-Kennedy as part of her residency.

Smuts-Kennedy operates on the proviso that all materials have energy or vibrational qualities that act differently in different situations and arrangements. Light Language —Smuts-Kennedy’s post-McCahon House residency exhibition — takes its cue from Colin McCahon’s description of November light as ‘a miracle’ he experienced during his first year living in Titirangi. These works use the daily occurrence and healing potential of light.

Smuts-Kennedy has extensively exhibited in Australia, India, Korea and New Zealand since 2003. She graduated with an MFA from Elam School of Fine Arts in 2012. Recent solo exhibtions include Frequency of the Earth, Artspace (2017) and Events within Boundaries, RM (2016).

Natasha Conland is curator of contemporary art at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamak and was previously the curator contemporary art at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Notable exhibitions include the international group show Mystic Truths (2007), Last Ride in a Hot Air Balloon: the 4th Auckland Triennial (2010), Made Active: The Chartwell Show (2012) and Necessary Distraction: A Painting Show (2016).

Laurence Simmons is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Auckland. He has written widely on contemporary New Zealand art and is currently writing a book with Rex Butler on McCahon’s afterlife.

Image: Symphony of Movement 9, pigment pastel on paper (detail)

24 September, 1-1pm