Kim Ireland has been named the recipient of this year’s Iris Fisher Scholarship.
The prestigious $5000 award is given out annually by the Te Tuhi contemporary art gallery in Pakuranga to support an outstanding postgraduate student in the final year of a visual arts/fine arts course of study.
Te Tuhi says the work of Ireland, who’s based in Nelson in the South Island, is driven by the examination of a fragmented past and the desire to explore the cultural and social mechanisms that form New Zealand’s history.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Media from NMIT, Te Pūkenga, and is completing her Master of Maori Visual Arts at Massey University.
“Through her work, she asks, what are the complexities that every individual faces in a bicultural society?
“How did our tīpuna (ancestors) survive the dominance of a colonial system and what is my part to play?”
Ireland’s most recent solo exhibitions include Kei hea a Tiki? (2022) at Refinery ArtSpace, Nelson; 24 (2022) at The Gallery, Nelson; and push/pull (2021) at Ardern, Nelson.
On being awarded the scholarship, she says: “I am very grateful to be awarded the Iris Fisher Scholarship.
“This award will support me in continuing my art practice.
“I would especially like to acknowledge Kura Te Rawiri and the rest of the kaiako (teachers) from the Masters of Māori Visual Arts at Toioho ki Āpiti for their tautoko (support) with my toi mahi (craft).”
Since 2007, Te Tuhi, with the generous support of the Lou and Iris Fisher Charitable Trust, has supported the development of emerging New Zealand artists with this annual award.
The scholarship is named after Iris Fisher, who was a founding member of the Pakuranga Arts Society and the driving force behind the creation of the Fisher Gallery, which later became Te Tuhi.
Her original bequest has fostered contemporary visual arts practice and art education.
It’s envisaged the funds will be put toward fees, materials, travel, or a purpose which will enable the recipient to successfully complete their final year of postgraduate study.