Ōtautahi Studios

I this episode I catch up with with visual artists Katharina Jaeger and Shannon Williamson. They share their individual stories from childhood and their fascinating practice to their art practice. We learn how Katharina went from working at a high end fashion house in Zurich to window dressing in Invercargill. How an art/science residency in Perth made a sleep scientist of Shannon. We also have a kōrero about their collaboration towards their upcoming exhibition at Stoddart Cottage.

Three friends come together creating a body of work for an Exhibition at Stoddart Cottage in Te Waipapa. They are inspired by the notion that in a throw away society, making do with what we already have is a rebellious act. In this episode Lucy Dolan Kang, Rebecca Smallridge and Tamara Rookes have a kōrero about their work, the current state of the world, about slowing down, the enjoyment and challenges working with recycling materials and that spending time together is a wonderful thing.

My kōrero with Pip Judge and Belinda Currie both teachers in the after 3 program at Hagley college. We learn about their background and how they came to teach art. They share their experiences of teaching and the joy themselves and their students experience being part of after 3. I also have a fantastic kōrero with Alan Cummins who has taught wood sculpture at Risingholme for the past 15 years. Alan’s insight into art and his interest in the spiritual manifestation is a fascinating listen.

"In this episode I have the absolute pleasure to have an in-depth kōrero with Jonathan Smart. Jonathan has been running his Gallery here in Ōtautahi since 1988. He shares his story about his early days as a young child in Gore and at five coming to Ōtautahi where he received his education and was one of the early MA students at UC. Jonathan shares antidotes of the art scene in the early 80’s and the story behind opening the Gallery. There is a gold nugget at the end of this Kōrero, Enjoy! "

Episode 30 is a ramble between Ri Williamson and myself, our thoughts on the new year, world events, books and the value of trying new things. This is the last episode of the first season as the show takes on a new format in season 2 which airs second Thursday of each month at 9pm through Plains Media