WIA 2020 - WOMEN IMMIGRANT ARTIST COLLECTIVE NZ
THE WIA 2020 a group of 6 migrant women artist, namely, Deb Donnelly, Heleen Donnelly, Dr. Mei-Chueh Chao and Marie L. Enslin, Lisa Silestean and Birgit Moffat who want to recognise the impact of Aotearoa immigration has on the fabric of society and draws on each individuals art or teaching practice to tell an migrant story.
A Place at the Kauri Table was formed
To our delight, the metaphorically tabled works have been seen and heard widely and helped to raise awareness of the political and social impact of immigration on feminists, artists and generations of settled migrant groups in New Zealand/Aotearoa. The meaning of A Place at the Kauri Table is in its transformative power on the participants: all of us have experienced this affecting change in Aotearoa through uncertain times.
The ‘insider outsider’ effect portrayed as intertextual immigrant experiences told by each member seated at the Kauri Table, as whanaunga or extended family. Central motives for immigration represented by art and artefacts through storytelling became a shared focus under the spotlight of arts installation and short film.
Arts, film, photography, migrant stories and metaphors collaborate to create an interactive model of hope and (be)longing for millions outside the table, in todays unsettled world. As artists, we continue to strive for those shared moments of human connection.
Splice Film Festival 2021
17 – 20 Jun 2021
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, USA
https://www.instagram.com/splicefilmfest/
FINALIST – CLAUDE & SUE CORTY AWARD
Helen’s short film A Place at the Kauri Table short film was awarded 2nd prize in the Claude & Sue Corty Award for immigration short documentaries at the annual SPLICE Film Festival 2021 in Brooklyn, New York. The prize was $350 USD and a trophy.
SPLICE is a selective international film and video art festival showcasing all genres of short films and subjects. They are particularly interested in filmmakers whose work is underrepresented either by gender identification, ethnicity, subject/topic.
The CLAUDE & SUE CORTY AWARD was created by Dr. Eric Corty to honour his parents Claude and Sue Corty who both endured horrific conditions that made it necessary to emigrate to the United States. The embodiment of this award is that immigration is good.
Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2020
23 – 26 Oct 2020
GAIETY CINEMA & THEATRE
Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, NZ
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Cross Currents Shorts
Our short film A Place at the Kauri Table was officially selected for the 15th annual Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2020 in the ‘Cross Currents Shorts’ session – stories of cultural cross currents in Aotearoa – held at Wairoa’s historical Gaiety Cinema & Theatre.
Founded in 2005 by Leo Koziol the Wairoa Māori Film Festival is the longest running Māori and indigenous film festival in NZ. “We have a reputation for rich and sincere narratives presented in a gentle and healing space.”
Deb, Birgit, Marie & Helen all attended the Festival, which included a WMFF Gala Dinner & Awards held at Taihoa Marae, Wairoa.
Wallace Art Awards 2020
15 Sept – 25 Oct 2020
PAH HOMESTEAD
Auckland NZ
https://www.artshousetrust.co.nz/
SEMI-FINALIST / SELECTION – SALON DES REFUSÉS
Deb recreated the first iteration of ‘A Place at the Kauri Table’ as an entry into the longest surviving and largest annual art awards of their kind in New Zealand, the Wallace Art Awards. The ‘Table’ was accompanied by Helen’s short film.
After being selected as one of 75 semi-finalists ‘A Place at the Table’ was chosen for the Salon des Refusés, an exhibition of works which almost made the finalists travelling show of the 29th Annual Wallace Art Awards 2020. It was held in the Long Gallery of historic Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, Auckland.
Established in 1992 by James Wallace, the vision of the Wallace Arts Trust was to support, promote and give exposure to New Zealand contemporary artists. Part of the operating philosophy of the Awards was expansion, connection and development.
YICCA International Contest of
Contemporary Art 2020
WINNER
CMC – CENTRO CULTURALE MILANO
Milan, Italy
Using Helen’s short documentary film, A Place at the Kauri Table 2019 (ITP Symposium, Napier) was entered by Deb as a video installation into the YICCA International Contest of Contemporary Art 2020.
The installation won the competition over 560 international entries and was awarded 3000€ in prize money.
The contest’s aim is to promote emerging artists, giving them chance to join the international market of contemporary art.