Richard and Laura Morrison own 250ha of farmland and 60ha of native bush in Rangitīkei. Photo / Florence Charvin
Richard and Laura Morrison own 250ha of farmland and 60ha of native bush in Rangitīkei. Photo / Florence Charvin
A New Zealand artist will soon have the chance to spend eight weeks in the quiet of rural Rangitīkei - as The Gullies farm's first artist in residence.
As well as staying in the farm's cottage, the artist will have access to a newly constructed studio on the property.
Theapplication is open to anyone who has had gallery representation for at least 12 months - current or historic.
The Gullies owner Laura Morrison said offering residency had been a dream of hers for a long time, and she hoped it would become an annual event.
"It's a chance to live out here and have the time to work on your practice," Morrison said.
"Maybe you'll absorb your surroundings and create work in response to that environment, which is our 250 hectare sheep and beef farm and 60 hectares of native bush.
"The bush is something we are always adding to. There are lots of trails and Tim Burton-esque bush and forest to explore. The artist will find their own spots that they personally connect with and want to spend time in, so we can drop them off and pick them up."
The residency was a chance for the farm and its workers to engage with the arts community, Morrison said.
Her husband Richard Morrison is the sixth generation of his family to work the land on Fern Flats, a 10-minute drive from Marton.
"While we have a duty of care to the artist while they are there, we are also really passionate about what we do as farmers for our crust.
"New Zealand has such a vibrant arts scene, and farming, for all its contentious aspects, is still a primary industry and how the country makes a lot of its money.
"I guess it's about promoting that conversation, too."
There have been six generations of Morrison farmers on the land at Fern Flats near Marton. Photo / Florence Charvin
Artists of any practice and from any part of the country are welcome to apply, and while partners are welcome to join, whole families spending the eight weeks at The Gullies isn't an option.
There are three different time slots available: August, October or January.
"I'm really passionate about the New Zealand art scene because it's constantly challenging me, and I think there's a real sense of comraderie within the art fraternity from what I've observed," Morrison said.
"I'm not an artist myself, but I've been following galleries and art since I was 16 or 17. I'm 37 now and it's still close to my heart."
Morrison said the cottage at The Gullies, usually reserved for AirBnb guests, contained a "library of reference books" on art and design.
"That can help ensconce people in a world of information, and hopefully that'll extend to the artist in residence as well.
"For the rest of the year we will have a timetable in place so artists with an address in Rangitīkei can book in and use the studio for free for two or three hours at a time.
"A collision between the arts and agriculture might be a little left-field, but in a way's it's also not. Farmers have that flexibility and can dip in and out, and such it's a natural fit for me because I'm passionate about both."
• To apply for the inaugural The Gullies Arts Residency, email Laura Morrison at hello@thegullies.nz
