THE LATEST Tylee Cottage artist-in-residence is planning a special project - and she wants you to be involved.
Auckland-based photographer Roberta Thornley is looking for Wanganui teenagers to take part in the as-yet-unnamed project, which is an in-depth photographic look at the lives of teenagers.
"I am interested in what makes these teenagers tick individually, what excites them and frightens them, and during the making of this project I am also keen to learn what collectively ties them together as a group," Miss Thornley said.
Miss Thornley is keen to talk to youth about the project and is going to select 10 people between 13 and 19 from a casting session she will hold on June 6 and 7.
"Each person will have to be prepared for me to spend about five sessions with them over the space of a few months," she said.
"This is a project not just open to those interested in the arts - I hope to also encourage teenagers from all walks of life with diverse and colourful stories."
Miss Thornley studied painting and sculpting at the University of Auckland. But towards the end of her studies she discovered photography and fell immediately in love.
She worked as a photographer's assistant to learn more about photography, and has also been involved in solo and group art shows in both New Zealand and Australia.
Miss Thornley has been in Wanganui since March, and loves it here.
"I didn't know Wanganui very well before I came here, but it's great to see there's a lot going on artistically.
"It's a very dynamic place to work in, with a lot of contrasts in the landscape."
Miss Thornley said this project was different to her usual way of working.
"I'm used to being in a studio," she said. She hopes the project will become a collaborative effort between herself and her subjects.
To see examples of Miss Thornley's work and to find out more about the project visit www.facebook.com/tyleecottagecasting.
The project will run until early 2016, and will be exhibited at the Sarjeant Gallery later in 2016.