Kingsley Spargo, Nim Flora Chan and Wayne Laird recording at the anechoic chamber at University of Auckland. Image by Natasha Matila-Smith
Photo Credit
'Being here being there' by Nim Flora Chan 2013 Ink on canvas mounted on MDF 1800 x 1220mm
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'Slow down, breathe between the lines', 2023 Acrylic marker on 2 x A4 art paper on music stand.
Photo Credit
'Lung Song', 2024 Generative audio, and video
Photo Credit
In the Key of 氣 (Qì) is a collaborative show by Nim Flora Chan, Wayne Laird ONZM and Kingsley Spargo. Curated by Kim Meredith, In the Key of 氣 (Qì) is a confluence of composer Wayne Laird, sound artist and video producer Kingsley Spargo with visual artist Nim Flora Chan taking centre stage.
Chan generously shares her story; a self-examination exploring her resilience to medical surveillance as an end-of-lifer. Tidal Breathing and Lung Song are Chan’s sonic biography, recordings made in Auckland’s only anechoic chamber of her laboured breathing (the result of losing a lung) and her monologue about the challenges and desire to live well. These are accompanied by Kingsley Spargo’s video, juxtaposing Chan’s medical scans with video images by Natasha Matila-Smith. The result is an empowering work, that enables Chan to take charge of her own story, to chart her own life, from the inside-out. All the while Chan’s stark monochromatic paintings capture the life force, the Qì –through the single gesture of a continuous brush stroke, creating a visceral discussion of Chan’s life force - In the Key of 氣 (Qì).
Acknowledgements:
Natasha Matila-Smith – documentation photography
Danielle Meredith – design
Thanks to:
Simon Lear, Dr L Cameron, Mercy Hospice Manaaki Day Service, Andrew Hall, Courtney Sina Meredith, Janet Lilo, Cyrus Meredith Melhuish, Pele Meredith Melhuish
In the Key of 氣 (Qì) is a collaborative show by Nim Flora Chan, Wayne Laird ONZM and Kingsley Spargo. Curated by Kim Meredith, In the Key of 氣 (Qì) is a confluence of composer Wayne Laird, sound artist and video producer Kingsley Spargo with visual artist Nim Flora Chan taking centre stage.
Chan generously shares her story; a self-examination exploring her resilience to medical surveillance as an end-of-lifer. Tidal Breathing and Lung Song are Chan’s sonic biography, recordings made in Auckland’s only anechoic chamber of her laboured breathing (the result of losing a lung) and her monologue about the challenges and desire to live well. These are accompanied by Kingsley Spargo’s video, juxtaposing Chan’s medical scans with video images by Natasha Matila-Smith. The result is an empowering work, that enables Chan to take charge of her own story, to chart her own life, from the inside-out. All the while Chan’s stark monochromatic paintings capture the life force, the Qì –through the single gesture of a continuous brush stroke, creating a visceral discussion of Chan’s life force - In the Key of 氣 (Qì).
Acknowledgements:
Natasha Matila-Smith – documentation photography
Danielle Meredith – design
Thanks to:
Simon Lear, Dr L Cameron, Mercy Hospice Manaaki Day Service, Andrew Hall, Courtney Sina Meredith, Janet Lilo, Cyrus Meredith Melhuish, Pele Meredith Melhuish
