Māori Wāhine named as artist-in-residence at Ara

Ana Iti (Te Rarawa and Pākehā), a New Zealand artist, is the 2022 recipient of the Grace Butler Memorial Foundation Award at Ara Institute of Canterbury. The award comes with a $20,000 grant and a three-month residency at Ara Art and Design.  

The Grace Butler Memorial Foundation Award at Ara was created in remembrance of late artist Grace Butler by her daughter Grace Adams.  

Ana Iti, Takoto, 2020,  Toi Tū, Toi Ora

Butler made a significant contribution to contemporary art in the 1930s by introducing the subject of landscape painting to female artists. In a time when women were socially limited to painting ‘feminine’ subjects such as flowers, Butler was a role model for other female artists for painting ‘plein-air’ (painting outdoors) at Arthur’s Pass and New Brighton for over more than four decades.  

During Iti’s residency at Ara she will be provided with additional support and the facilities she requires, depending on the sort of work she plans to do for her next project.  

“I get precious time to work on a self-motivated project, as well as access to equipment and technical support that otherwise isn’t readily available to me. With the monetary support, I will be more able to continue working as an artist full time which I have only started to do this year,” says Iti. 

Her residency is also a fantastic opportunity for students to see where she gets her motivation for her work. Iti is keen to chat with anyone who has similar research interests, and is particularly interested in mentoring any other queer, takatāpui or Māori students. 

Hazel Barrer, Head of Ara’s Creative Industries department, says “What's really exciting for us is she's an incredibly talented young Māori Wāhine Toa and, will bring new perspectives for our students.”  

Iti’s art reflects on our country’s history, identity, and the portrayal of Māori history throughout the decades. Her plans for her residency surround a project dedicated to producing an artist book which is another way artists can display their inspiration. 

“It’s something I’ve been hoping to do over the last few years. I’m particularly interested in writing and language as well as archives and print history, so a book seems like a natural project for me to pursue,” says Iti.  

To read the full media release published by Art Beat, click the link here.