• Te Tuhi
• 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga,
• Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
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Te Tuhi is pleased to announce Bena Jackson as the recipient of the 2023 Iris Fisher Scholarship. Jackson makes sculptures and installations. Her practice considers community actions in public space and urban environments where agency, ingenuity, potential, and tension intersect. Jackson’s recent exhibitions include Castle Mall (2023) at RM Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland; Camera phone (2021) at play_station space, Te Whānganui-a-Tara Wellington; and Bound in secret knots (2021) with Teresa Collins at Enjoy Contemporary Art Space, Te Whānganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Completing her Master of Fine Arts at Massey University Wellington Whiti o Rehua School of Art this year, Jackson’s work is currently on display from 11-24 November as part of Exposure (2023), the Graduation Exhibition for the College of Creative Arts at Massey University. Her work is exhibited at the Engine Room Gallery at Massey University with Russell Kleyn.

Jackson says “I am thrilled to be awarded this year's scholarship, it really is a special and exciting way to end my year at Massey. I want to pass on how grateful and excited I am about the opportunity.”

The Iris Fisher Scholarship is a national award of $5,000 to support an outstanding postgraduate student in the final year of a visual arts/fine arts course of study. Since 2007, Te Tuhi, in partnership with the Fisher family, have supported the development of emerging Aotearoa New Zealand artists with this annual award. Past recipients of the Iris Fisher Scholarship include Susu, Xi Li, Emily Parr, Quishile Charan, Aaron Kong, Christina Pataialii, Kalisolaite ‘Uhila and Erica van Zon.

The scholarship is named after Iris Fisher, who was a founding member of the Pakuranga Arts Society and the driving force behind the creation of the Fisher Gallery, later to become Te Tuhi. Her original bequest has fostered contemporary visual arts practice and art education. It is envisaged that these funds will be put toward fees, materials, travel or a purpose which will enable the recipient to successfully complete their final year of postgraduate study.