The Blue Oyster Art Project Space

The Blue Oyster Art Project Space, located in Dunedin’s city centre, is one of the earliest artist-run spaces to be established in New Zealand and Dunedin's longest running experimental art space.[1]

History and operations

As a not for profit organisation, the gallery serves the local and national art community as a venue for exhibiting alternative and non-commercial art work that offers an environment of criticality, support and learning to emerging and experimental artists.[2]

Shortly after the space opened in 1999, founding artists Emily Barr, Steve Carr, Wallace Chapman, Douglas Kelaher and Kate Plaisted founded the Blue Oyster Arts Trust which has governed the Blue Oyster ever since.[3][4] The Trust’s aim is to broaden an interest and understanding of contemporary art by providing a diverse and energetic forum for critical dialogue, around a yearly programme of exhibitions, projects, events and publications.[4][5]

Blue Oyster has a strong history in extending support to young artists building their careers in the New Zealand arts scene and promoting new and innovative art practices. As the gallery and Trust have evolved, they have continued to assist, promote and support emerging artists, writers, curators and practitioners [6] with 12 exhibitions, 10 events (talks, screenings, performances), 2 workshops, 2 residencies, and 3 publications per year.[4]

Funding

The Blue Oyster Art Project Space is funded by Creative New Zealand and the Dunedin City Council,[7] along with a range of other sponsors, patrons, stakeholders and supporters in and around the Dunedin community. The space is part of a nationwide network of non-profit organisations that support emerging and experimental artists including: Enjoy Public Art Gallery, The Physics Room, Artspace, Objectspace and CIRCUIT Artist Film & Video Aotearoa – most of which started out as artist-run spaces.

Exhibition history

Notable exhibitions include: an early exhibition by Julian Dashper (2000); an early exhibition by Seraphine Pick titled 'Display' (2000); several early exhibitions by Steve Carr (1999-2001); an early exhibition by 2010 Walters Prize winner Dan Arps (2001); solo exhibition by Pauline Rhodes (2002); a group exhibition including Sarah Jane Parton (2005); solo exhibitions by 2016 Walters Prize nominees Shannon Te Ao (2013) and Nathan Pohio (2003); grand re-opening solo exhibition by Judy Darragh (2013). Recently, Blue Oyster has also shown 'Duty Free Art' (2014) by internationally renowned artist Hito Steyerl with the support of Artspace Auckland.

References

  1. ↑ Benson, Nigel (15 August 2013). “Blue Oyster moves into ‘art precinct’ ”. Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  2. ↑ Dell, April (11 July 2010). “Blue Oyster Art Project Space”. Critic. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  3. ↑ Mould, Bob (Spring 1999). “Dunedin Roundup”. Log Illustrator. The Physics Room. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Ribbung, Andreas. “Blue Oyster”. Super Market 2016 Stockholm Independent Art Fair. Retrieved 09 June 2016.
  5. ↑ Egden, Abigail. “Blue Oyster Art Project Space”. Neat Places. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  6. ↑ National Services Te Paerangi. “Blue Oyster Art Project Space”. NZ Museums. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Events and Community Development Team. (13 July 2015) “DCC Allocates Round of City Project and City Service Grants”. Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 05 May 2016.

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