Iris Fisher Scholarship
2007 Iris Fisher Scholar - Erica van Zon
Erica von Zon, 'Sixteen Reasons', performance in 'Mulholland Drive Film Set', 2007. Photo: Richard Orjis
Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts and Fisher Trustee Stephen Fisher were delighted to award the inaugural Iris Fisher Scholarship to Elam School of Art student Erica van Zon in 2007. Erica was selected from a wide pool of applicants by a panel comprised of Cam McCracken, Executive Director of Te Tuhi, Emma Bugden, Curatorial Director, and Dominic Fuchs, Director of Starkwhite Gallery.
The panel described Erica's work as "playful and quirky, with an assured use of space and innovative reclaiming of materials and methods of making traditionally seen as craft". Erica is currently completing a Masters of Fine Arts, developing a body of work drawing on imagery from the world of Hollywood and films to explore ideas of fakery or trickery.
2008 Iris Fisher Scholar - Boris Dornbusch
Boris Dornbusch, Involving all Members, 2008, sheet metal blinds, box of Panadol, Courtesy of the artist
German born artist Boris Dornbusch immigrated to New Zealand in 2001 after spending an extended period of his life in Yugoslavia. Dornbusch is the second recipient of the annual Iris Fisher scholarship judged by Emma Bugden, Cam McCracken Stephen Fisher.
His work explores social histories and questions definitions of the individual within the onslaught of popular culture. Dornbusch's work has recently drawn on an increasingly broad range of media, from readymade video footage sourced online to sculptures re-presenting theatrical props from nightclubs. His exhibition presents new work in the form of constellations of sculptures and video that reflect upon organisations of social interactivity and artificial constructions of sensory experience.
2009 Iris Fisher Scholar - Jeremy Richard Leatinu'u
Jeremy Richard Leatinuu, Cutting The Grass 2008, Performance, Otara Creek Reserve
Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts and Fisher Trustee Stephen Fisher were delighted to award the inaugural Iris Fisher Scholarship to Te Manukau School of Visual Arts student Jeremy Richard Leatinu'u. Jeremy was selected from a wide pool of applicants by a panel comprised of Emma Bugden, James McCarthy and Stephen Cleland.
The panel described Jeremy's work as conceptually unique and articulate. Jeremy is developing a body of work which explores the concept of ownership and human occupation of property.
The Scholarship
Entries are being sought for the 2009 Iris Fisher Scholarship.
Closing date for the 2009 award is 23 January 2009.
Object of the scholarship
The scholarship is named after Iris Fisher, an important founding member of the Pakuranga Arts Society and driving force behind the creation of the Fisher Gallery, later to become Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts. Her original bequest has fostered and encouraged contemporary visual art practice, and in particular arts education, not only in Pakuranga, but also the wider Auckland region since that time.
The Iris Fisher Scholarship, therefore, has been created with those same ideals, that is, for the purpose of encouraging and assisting an excellent tertiary-level visual art student with their studies.
The Iris Fisher Scholarship is awarded to one recipient annually. Each award period is for an academic year and the funds will be available from 1st March in any given year.
In 2009 the award will be for $5,500 and will be payable in one lump sum. It is envisaged that these funds will be put toward fees, materials, travel or a purpose which will enable and aid the recipient to successfully complete their year of tertiary study.
Eligibility
The Iris Fisher Scholarship is to support a student enrolled in a studio or practice based fine or visual arts course of study at tertiary level which meets all the following requirements:
- A course of study which is being offered within the Auckland Regional Council boundary. That is, in one of the constituent Territorial Local Authorities which make up the ARC geographical area, namely, Auckland, Manukau, Waitakere, North Shore, Rodney, Franklin and Papakura. NB. All candidates are required to be studying at a campus within this geographical region.
- A course of study is a tertiary level qualification awarded by a Tertiary Education Commission accredited institution.
- A tertiary level course which is at level 5 or greater.
For the purposes of the scholarship "fine or visual arts" is interpreted as encompassing fields such as; digital art, drawing, installation, moving image, painting, performance art, photography, printmaking, sculpture and sound art.
Location
The awards are open to any student who fulfils the eligibility criteria above, however preference may be given to candidates who have an association with the Pakuranga area.
Selection Process
Applications will be welcomed from all those eligible. Initially candidates must submit an application comprising of a written component in the form of a standardized proposal no more than 2 pages long and accompanied by a maximum of 6 A4 images of their recent work. Shortlisted candidates then interviewed by a jury panel, this will be comprised of Te Tuhi staff and a guest panelist.
Award requirements
The successful recipient will be required to remain in full time study through out their year as the recipient of the scholarship. It is expected that recipients make an acquittal report at the end of the year in which their award is made. In addition Te Tuhi may make a request for the recipient to be available for a public programme opportunity.
Download entry form
Download an entry form for the Iris Fisher Scholarship as a handy PDF document:
