Kate Montgomery joined City Gallery Wellington in late August 2010 and hit the curatorial ground running towards the major exhibition Prospect: New Zealand Art Now, opening in Wellington on 26 November.

"Prospect has always sought to provide an exciting opportunity for artists and an accessible way into contemporary art of this place and this time for the audiences drawn towards the show."

As an exhibition dedicated to provoking discussion and debate, Prospect hosts a range of artworks and artists that make the New Zealand arts scene the sophisticated, challenging and fascinating field it is today. You can also join Kate and Prospect artists as they unpack some of the works in this exhibition on Saturday at 3pm.

In this TBI Q&A, Kate tells us a little bit more about herself and the exhibition.

Title: Senior curator, City Gallery Wellington.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

When morning coffee is in hand.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Diplomatic. 

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Gathering together a community of interest, drawing a crowd.

How does your environment affect your work?

Yes and no. I've learnt a lot in the last 12 months since leaving Christchurch to work in Wellington. I know how valuable it is to be able to keep your momentum and chin up and that there's a lot to be said for the simplest of things and especially of being prepared, responsible and respectful.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

Different circumstances call for different kind of focus. The big pictures are always made up of lots of intricate details.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Take your chances as they come.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Poor-Racer (Thomas Hirschhorn’s commission for the One Day Sculpture series 2009) and the realisation that an open and sincere invitation is all most things ever need to get themselves started.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

We the 99%

New Zealand Art Now is the tagline for Prospect – what are you trying to say with this exhibition?

Prospect's always had a tag line and “New Art New Zealand” no longer felt like the right fit for this year's presentation. City Gallery Director Paula Savage has watched the series of exhibitions grow and evolve over the last 10 years and came up with what she felt fitted the attitude and approach of this year’s show.   

Who are the artists involved and why have you chosen them?

Eve Armstrong, Ruth Buchanan, Fiona Connor, Simon Denny, Selina Foote, Jacqueline Fraser, Robert Hood, Fiona Jack, Patrick Lundberg/Roman Mitch, Dane Mitchell, Kate Newby, Ava Seymour, Sriwhana Spong, Peter Trevelyan and John Ward Knox.

Prospect has always sought to provide an exciting opportunity for artists and an accessible way into contemporary art of this place and this time for the audiences drawn towards the show. 

I wanted people who know these artists well to be able to find something new and engaging when visiting City Gallery, as well as providing a distilled and considered selection of works for those adventurous people who might only just be meeting these important artists through their work for the first time.

What are you hoping people get out of it?

I’d love people to simply just come, look and think it all over. I know that I always feel challenged to think about things differently when I engage with the work of these artists, and if people are able to head back out into the streets with a recalibrated sense of their position in and relation to the world then we’ll all have done our jobs just right.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Memories of the homes and buildings I grew up in and around in Christchurch and Canterbury.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

Up loud. Why not?

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

A kite.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Put the kettle on and have a think about it.

What’s your big idea for 2012?

Organise.

* * * The Big Idea Birthday Questions * * *

What does The Big Idea mean to you?

A creative window to the world, close to home.

What changes have you noticed in (galleries) in the past 10 years?

A lightening of attitude and a sharpening of wits.

What are some of the opportunities and challenges for the next decade?

Working smart as well as hard.

***************

Prospect: New Zealand Art Now
Opening Weekend at City Gallery
Saturday 26 November, 10am-7pm

Opening on Election Day you can combine casting your eye over the exhibition with casting your vote at the nearby Town Hall polling booth.

This years Prospect is the fourth in a series of the contemporary New Zealand art exhibitions. The Prospect series began in 2001 and the exhibitions have been curated by Lara Strongman, Heather Galbraith, Emma Budgen and now, Kate Montgomery, respectively.

Prospect: New Zealand Art Now features the work of Eve Armstrong, Ruth Buchanan, Fiona Connor, Simon Denny, Selina Foote, Jacqueline Fraser, Fiona Jack, Robert Hood, Patrick Lundberg/Roman Mitch, Dane Mitchell, Kate Newby, Ava Seymour, Sriwhana Spong, Peter Trevelyan and John Ward Knox.

Prior to her arrival at City Gallery in Wellington Kate was Director of The Physics Room in Christchurch for 4 years. During this period Kate curated The Physics Room’s programme of exhibitions and public programmes and also facilitated Thomas Hirschhorn’s Poor-Racer commission for the One Day Sculpture series with Danae Mossman in 2009.

With a background in art writing and criticism, Kate has written for a range of exhibition catalogues and independent publications as well as previously being a regular contributor to Art New Zealand and The Press. Prior to her time with The Physics Room Kate was involved with Christchurch’s artist-run space HSP, and she served as a member of the jury for the Auckland Art Gallery’s 2010 Walters Prize.

Towards the close of Prospect: New Zealand Art Now in February 2012 Kate will join the curators of the earlier Prospect exhibitions for a roundtable discussion at City Gallery Wellington.