Local photographers break in the land

Final year Elam students, Conor Clarke, Ceili Murphy, and Matt Ross expose their unique view of New Zealand’s landscape through a lens at their Breaking In photography exhibition at the Artstation Gallery from 1 to 19 June.

Breaking In investigates the role of landscape in shaping New Zealand’s national history and everyday environment. Relationships to the landscapes are questioned as the artists suggest new ways to interact with rural and urban New Zealand landscapes.

Conor Clarke’s ‘Situations’ attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects that are strewn across the rural New Zealand landscape. Familiar farm sights like hay bales and pipes appear strange within their surroundings in Clarke’s close-up photographs.

Irrigation systems become sites of contemplation in Ceili Murphy’s ‘Irrigate/Sprinkle’. Ethereal qualities of water become apparent in Murphy’s photographs. The falling water creates visual marks against rural backdrops before disappearing into the land.

Conservation and colonisation come under scrutiny in Matt Ross’ photographs. The images look at the relationships of native and exotic vegetation within the New Zealand landscape. The photographs examine how competing natural systems constantly redefine the land and its inhabitants, and what constitutes productive use.

Breaking In exhibition information: Artists: Conor Clarke, Ceili Murphy, Matt Ross Exhibition: 1 – 19 June 2004 Opening: 5 – 7pm Tuesday 1 June 2004

Artstation, Auckland City’s community visual arts facility, is located at the old police barracks at 1 Ponsonby Rd, Newton. It is easy to get to by public transport with the Link’s ‘Artstation’ bus stop right outside.

For more information please contact Artstation on: Phone: (09) 376 3221 Email: artstation@aucklandcity.govt.nz Web address: www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/artstation Artstation Gallery Hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm Sat 10am – 4pm

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