Events › Days of Ice | Speaker series - Artists in Antarctica

What transformation happens when writers, musicians and artists stand in the vast, cold spaces of Antarctica?
Join Patrick Shepherd and fellow artists to celebrate the work of Kiwi artists in Antarctica and
Antarctica’s power to inspire.

Tuesday 8 October
5.30pm Doors open, exhibition available
6.00pm Welcome / Mihi whakatau
6.10pm Patrick Shepherd and fellow artists

Tautoru / TSB Space, Hapori | Community, Level 1, Tūranga

Free, Bookings required 

You are warmly invited to engage with some of the artists who feature in the recent book Artists in Antarctica, published by Massey University Press. Chris Cree Brown, Margaret Elliot, Bernadette Hall, Adele Jackson, and Bronwyn Judge will share their experiences as Antarctic artists in a panel discussion hosted by the book’s author, Patrick Shepherd. If there’s anything you’ve always wanted to know about what it is like to be creative in the world’s coldest place, or how an artist translates inspiration into art, then join us for a stimulating discussion, with time to mingle with the artists afterwards and experience some of their work firsthand.

Dr Patrick Shepherd has called New Zealand home since moving there from England in 1991. As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Patrick teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in the Faculty of Education, and is Associate Head of School for the School of Teacher Education. As well as his involvement in music education, his main research interests are synaesthesia – especially as it relates to creativity – and Antarctic Arts. He is the author of the book Artists in Antarctica, published by Massey University Press.

Patrick is an Honorary Antarctic Arts Fellow, having travelled to Antarctica in 2004 and 2016/17. Much of his recent creative work is related to those trips, including a reawakening of his interest in painting and the visual arts.
Artists in Antarctica brings together paintings, photographs, texts and musical scores by Aotearoa New Zealand artists who have been to the Ice. It explores the impact of this experience on their art and art process, as well as the physical challenges of working in a harsh and unfamiliar environment.

As a practising musician and creative artist, Patrick works as a composer, conductor, performer, and teacher and is well-known for his work in the community and with young people. His musical works have been performed in the UK, USA, Germany, Russia, South Korea, China, and Australia as well as regular performances and broadcasts in New Zealand.
Patrick is the Government Appointee to the national council of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers New Zealand and, at a local level, is President of the Specialist Music Programme, which provides a unique course of study for primary, secondary and tertiary students with high musical ability. He is also President of the North West Music Festival.
Patrick has conducted many orchestras and choirs, including the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, Garden City Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Strings, Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival Symphony Orchestra and NASDA chorus. In 2013 he became the Musical Director for the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival and was honoured with Life Membership of the Association on his departure in 2019. Patrick has also delivered promotional talks and lectures on New Zealand music both overseas and nationally and is in demand as a music critic, having been one for The Press for many years.

Artists in Antarctica