Auckland-based artist Shigeyuki Kihara has been announced as The Physics Room's first artist-in-residence for 2007. Kihara works with photographic self-portraits to explore themes of identity, ethnography, sexuality and artistic practice, which are informed by her Samoan/Japanese heritage.

Image: Ulugali'i Samoa; Samoan couple, 2005Auckland-based artist Shigeyuki Kihara has been announced as The Physics Room's first artist-in-residence for 2007. Kihara works with photographic self-portraits to explore themes of identity, ethnography, sexuality and artistic practice, which are informed by her Samoan/Japanese heritage.

Image: Ulugali'i Samoa; Samoan couple, 2005During her time in Christchurch, Kihara will undertake research, utilise resources and create networks within local and regional arts communities in and outside of Christchurch. The main focus of her research will be centred around the photographic collections at the Macmillan Brown Research Library at the University of Canterbury and the Hocken Library at the University of Otago. Kihara's exploration of the Pacific archives, in specific, the island of Samoa, will assist in the development of a new photographic series in response to early anthropological photographs of Samoan culture.

Kihara is also looking to establish links to the indigenous communities from the Pacific based in Christchurch through the support of organisations such as Pacific Underground and Talofa FM and is eager to utilise the geographical opportunity to visit various public and commercial art galleries, museums and institutions in and around Christchurch.

The 2007 Physics Room Residency has been developed partnership with The Arts Centre, Christchurch, who generously supports the programme by providing accommodation and studio facilities for the artist.