Auckland artist Sriwhana Spong has been selected to take up a four-month residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Program in New York in 2008, with funding support from Creative New Zealand.

During the residency, Spong will complete a series of film works, 4 Months (Quarters and Phases).

Image: Sriwhana Spong, 7 Days, 2006-7"This residency is a wonderful opportunity for me to stretch my practice, and grow as an artist," said Spong, "and I am curious to see what a fresh environment and the resources presented by a city like New York will bring to my work."

Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright said the New York residency presented an excellent professional development opportunity for New Zealand artists.

"The New York residency will give Sriwhana Spong the time to complete her next project and the chance to work with other artists at the ISCP and develop her practice in that international context," Wainwright said.

The residency will take place from January to April 2008. Creative New Zealand covers airfares, stipend and the ISCP's studio and administration fees. The ISCP provides administrative support, along with field trips and a guest critic programme.

Creative New Zealand has supported the biennial New York residency since 2000 and previous recipients include Gavin Hipkins (2006), Christopher Braddock (2004), Lisa Crowley (2002) and Ronnie van Hout (2000).

Spong's latest exhibition, Beetlejuice, opens at Sydney's Artspace gallery on 6 November. A video installation, 7 Days, was commissioned for Turbulence 3rd Auckland Triennial earlier this year.

1/11/07