Creative Spaces NetworkA recent artist residency, funded by the Boost Ōtautahi initiative, has introduced animation to artists at The White Room Creative Space in Christchurch.
Over the course of three weeks, artist in residence Jack McConnell collaborated with The White Room artists to create a short, stop-motion animated film – an artform new to the space.
The White Room offers an environment where people with learning disabilities and other under-served community members can make art. Here, artists can explore materials, receive professional support and develop their creative practice.
Each artist works closely with experienced facilitators who encourage experimentation across a wide range of media and forms of expression.
Simon Gray, Co-lead of The White Room, says bringing artists into spaces like The White Room provides valuable opportunities to show what goes on in creative spaces, and the diversity, creativity and commitment to making art.
“This was a great opportunity to introduce a new method of making art to the artists and expand creative capacity in The White Room,” Simon says.
Previous collaboration with artist in residence
Jack had previously collaborated with the creative space, working on the “Tiny Rooms” project, undertaken by The White Room as recipients of Arts Access Aotearoa’s Whakahoa Whakawatea Kaitoi Tangata Holdsworth Creative Spaces Fellowship 2023.
%20sm.jpg "Artist Andrea Monds")
“As well as filming and editing the documentary of the performance, Jack supported the participating artists,” Simon says.
“His calm and supportive approach, together with his animation and film experience, made Jack the perfect candidate for the Boost Ōtautahi artist residency.”
With an open creative brief and the goal of involving as many artists as possible, Jack guided participants through every stage of the stop-motion process. He began by introducing himself and his work to the various studio groups, offering everyone the opportunity to learn about animation and take part if they chose to.
Free to pursue their own creative vision
Following these introductions, artists brainstormed ideas for their individual contributions to the final film. There were no restrictions or themes and artists were free to pursue their own creative vision.
%20sm.jpg "Artist Jo Lyall")
Jack then worked one-on-one with each participant to shape their ideas into animatable concepts.
Over a two-week development phase, Jack spent time with each of the artists, discussing their ideas and how they might be developed as an animated film. In the third week, the actual animation was created, with each artist working alongside Jack to make their part of the film.
“I'd sit with each artist individually, show them the camera and software we were using, and then guide them to take 36 photos each, moving their creations less than a centimetre at a time,” Jack explains.
“Afterwards, I'd take those photos away and spend a week compositing them into the final movie you see now.” Watch the completed film.
The end result is a collaborative animated film that combines the individual contributions of each artist into a single, cohesive piece – one that celebrates the creative voices in The White Room community.
The project not only introduced a new artform to the creative space but has also inspired some of the artists to start new animation projects.
An artist captivated by the process
One participant became so captivated by the process that he began illustrating every frame of his own longer animation, using the traditional hand-drawn approach.
Simon says that initiatives like this provide opportunities for artistic expression, inclusion and growth. He’s keen to explore opportunities to keep using animation and plans to host more residencies.
“They offer real benefits. Artists learn new skills, meet other practising artists, and get to promote their work.”
Simon believes residencies also help build a more inclusive arts community by showcasing the creativity and diversity within spaces like The White Room.
For Jack, the residency was not only a chance to share his expertise but also a meaningful professional milestone.
“The highlight is seeing how some of the artists got inspired by animation as a medium,” he says. "There is nothing more rejuvenating than seeing other artists be inspired. You can't help but be inspired to make art.”
The White Room Creative Space is a member of the Creative Spaces Network, facilitated by Arts Access Aotearoa.
