Presenting Social Practice Artist URSULA CHRISTEL

Above: The Wealth of the Nation, 2021.

By Ursula Christel in collaboration with Masud Olufani (USA)

Kia ora koutou, greetings from our gorgeous little town of Warkworth. To start off my introductions: I have ‘officially’ been an artist since the age of 4… that is, according to my older sister who was 5 when she announced it. The label has stuck with me ever since. Art has, and always will be, the pivotal point of my life. I was previously based on the Hibiscus Coast, where I helped to set up TAFI - a proactive artist group that established the Estuary Arts Centre in 2007. Five years ago, I moved to Warkworth, to a great spot close to the Parry Kauri Park. Before Covid got in the way, I joined the Mahurangi Artists Network and attended some face-to-face meetings in Matakana and artist’s homes. I am now looking forward to becoming more actively involved. As a social practice artist, my focus isn’t to feature my own studio and artwork on the annual Arts Trail, but rather to operate as a fringe element, bringing a dash of awareness to highlight some deeper social and environmental concerns. I have been immersed in the disability sector for over 25 years and am active as a volunteer on several charities – all inspired by this powerful quote: “Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it is making a new space, a better space for everyone.” - George Dei (2006) Some of the work I do to prompt the emergence of this ‘new and better space’, includes initiating and coordinating projects that provide creative opportunities for everyone to benefit from. Inclusion and accessibility (in all forms) are key motivators for me. As my artist’s statement explains: “I work mostly as a social practice artist - addressing these topics through research, networking and collaborations; using art to help foster an understanding of each other and of our environment." If you are interested to know what a social practice might look like, this link has some great explanations: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/s/socially-engaged-practice My studio, 2019 (pre-Covid): https://www.localmatters.co.nz/mahurangi-news/intellectually-disabled-artist-reaches-finals-of-art-award/ Warkworth is not entirely new territory for me. It was the venue for an early key exhibition, “Visual Discussion”, held in the Masonic Hall in October 2003. At that time, I was the Art History tutor at the Hungry Creek Art & Craft School in Puhoi, and had just met two other artists who were equally keen to create an edgy show in a rural town hall. We developed a conceptual thread that connected our individual artworks with each other, and with the architecture of the heritage building and its historical context. A large grant covered the costs to install professional gallery lighting in the hall. Almost 20 years later, we are still an active, experimental artists trio. Since 2016, I have been part of the Mokopōpaki whanau; a unique art-promoting entity based in Auckland City. I participated in several exhibitions at the previous Karangahape Road gallery space, and am looking at participating in an exhibition at the Pah Homestead, to coincide with Matariki celebrations this year. I am also currently the college Art teacher at Horizon School in Snell’s Beach. As a multidisciplinary artist, I use a range of media and disciplines to make artworks: such as painting, video, printmaking, sculpture installations, photography, theatre sets, interactive projects - and, at times, combinations of these. You’re welcome to browse my website to see more of my work: www.ursulachristel.com There are always a multitude of creative projects bubbling away in the wings, and I am excited about connecting some of these with the Mahurangi Artist Studio Trail, next year.

Above Left: Tiakina /Take Care: Exhibition at Papakura Art Gallery, 2022.

Above Right: The Wealth of the Nation, 2021. Wall installation.

A collaborative project by Ursula Christel (NZ) and Masud Olufani (USA).