Jam Radio Celebrates Cultural Icons

Celebrating our Cultural Icons
Interviews with iconic New Zealanders who have shaped our arts & culture scene

Devonport, North Shore, New Zealand – 26 May 2004

Jam Radio (of Depot Artspace, Devonport) is currently producing an invaluable asset to New Zealand’s arts sector with its ‘Cultural Icons’ programme; an accessible, informative and compelling series of interviews that will inspire generations to come.

In December Jam Radio received ARST (Arts Regional Services Trust) funding from North Shore City Council to create a series of interviews with iconic New Zealanders who have shaped the arts and culture scene over many years. The inspiration and impetus for the Cultural Icons project is to provide archives that capture the ideas, histories and personalities of these significant contributors. The project is ongoing, with audio and film from the interviews made accessible online.

The dialogues are between friends and contemporaries and so far form a fascinating cultural genealogy. Hamish Keith, writer, art curator, arts consultant and social commentator interviews his long-time friend, the artist and conservationist, Barry Brickell; Martin Edmond, noted NZ novelist, essayist and author of 'The Resurrection of Philip Clairmont’ (1999) interviews Philip Clairmont’s partner Rachel Power and poet, biographer, musician and ecologist Denys Trussell interviews friend Dean Buchanan, painter.

Warm, informed and often intimate, the interviews are a rare insight into these iconic kiwi’s creative journeys, their youthful ambitions, their hurdles, successes and their contributions within the New Zealand creative and cultural landscape.

The audio interviews are accessible to all online and provided free of charge. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The project also aims to make these interviews available for public distribution and to schools, libraries and other learning institutions.

Only five months into the two year project, interviews completed to date include:
Rachel Power interviewed by Martin Edmond
Geoff Chapple interviewed by Graeme Lay
Ian Wedde interviewed by Kevin Ireland
David Eggleton interviewed by Graeme Lay
Barry Brickell interviewed by Hamish Keith
Vincent O’Sullivan interviewed by Graeme Lay
Graeme Lay interviewed by Kevin Ireland
Daughters of ARD Fairburn interviewed by Graeme Lay
Martin Edmond interviewed by Hamish Keith
Shonagh Koea interviewed by Graeme Lay
Hamish Keith interviewed by Graeme Lay
Martin Rumsby interviewed by Julian McCarthy
Louis Rawnsley & Archie Bowie interviewed by Graeme Lay
Dean Buchanan interviewed by Denys Trussell
Denys Trussell interviewed by Kevin Ireland

Rachel Power and Martin Edmond
Jam Radio's Cultural Icons programme presents a two part interview with Rachel Power, partner of the late Philip Clairmont and mother of Orlando Clairmont. Rachel is interviewed by Martin Edmond, author of 'The Resurrection of Philip Clairmont’ (1999). With eloquence and warmth the two speak for a total of two hours, discussing the stigma of suicide, Philip Clairmont’s work, his life and a great deal more.

The Daughters of ARD Fairburn
One of Auckland’s beloved sons, the writer, artist and activist ARD Fairburn (1904–57), is the subject of an interview by Graeme Lay with two of his children, Dinah Holman and Janis Fairburn. In a conversation full of warmth, humour and nostalgia they reflect on his family and relationships, his work and publications, and the mark he has left as one of NZ’s influential writers.

ARD Fairburn was described by his peer Frank Sargeson as one ‘one of the most extraordinary men born in the southern hemisphere’. >From his contribution to many aspects of the arts scene in Auckland, to his stance on gender equality and the organic movement, Fairburn was a larger than life character who charmed both the critics and those who knew him.

Graeme Lay
Graeme Lay is the author or editor of 38 works of fiction and non-fiction, including novels for adults and young adults, collections of short stories and books of travel writing. These include the novel Alice and Luigi (2006), the travel memoir Inside the Cannibal Pot (2007), and the short story anthology The New Zealand Book of the Beach(2007). Short story writer, novelist, poet and librettist Kevin Ireland interviews Graeme about his life and love of writing.

Barry Brickell
Our first filmed interview took place between writer, art curator, arts consultant and social commentator Hamish Keith and artist, writer and conservationist Barry Brickell. As longtime friends, the interview was brimming with warmth, humour, and priceless stories about the arts scene in Auckland, and indeed the development of the two men as artists.

Martin Edmond
Martin Edmond was the writer-in-residence at Michael King Writers' Centre in Devonport when he was interviewed for two programmes for the Cultural Icons programme. The first interview is about his writing, research and reflections on the vivid and short life of NZ artist Philip Clairmont. In 1999 Martin published the biography, ‘The Resurrection of Philip Clairmont’, which continues to receive critical acclaim.

In the second programme Martin shares his personal creative journey, his involvement with Red Mole, growing up in Ohakune and his life-changing experience giving a eulogy at his father’s funeral. Martin is interviewed by prominent arts commentator Hamish Keith.

Martin Rumsby
Julian McCarthy interviews the pioneering alternative filmmaker, writer, curator and exhibitor, Martin Rumsby. Martin is renowned for extensive and tireless contribution to alternative and experimental film in New Zealand. In 1980 he began working out of Alternative Cinema, the Auckland Filmmakers’ Co-operative. He went on to establish an independent film distribution service and annually toured film programmes around the country.

From 1985 to 1995 Rumsby extended his tour of NZ films to North America. During his time there he was employed at a number of artist-run centres, including Niagara Artist’ Centre, Canadian Filmmakers’ Distribution Centre, Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers and Neutral Ground. Martin fostered the North American/New Zealand connection by returning to NZ regularly to show North American avant-garde films.

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