I have been selected to undertake my first artist residency, in France, at the Chateau Orquevaux in September – October 2017. Here I will be given the opportunity to expand my series overseas, collaborate and work with other artists and draw inspiration from the estate and surrounding areas.
During my residency I will be continuing work on my Discovering Locations series, which stems from my exploration of our connection to landscapes, our relationship between nature and our built environment, often illustrating the hidden memory of our surroundings at a deeper, emotive level.
My works from the series are titled with a name but also the geographical coordinates of the location. This embeds a sense of place in the world more literally, and to encourage others to go out and seek, to explore the world around them and to look at their surroundings in a new light.
Along with my residency, I will be spending a few days in Berlin to work with some local artists and explore the city and its history, to discover and photograph other locations within Germany for my series.
Works from this series have been awarded first prize in photography for the Gosford Art Prize in 2013 and 2015, selected for exhibition as a finalist in prizes such has The 39th Alice Prize, Northern Territory 2016, Cooks Hill Gallery Newcastle We Get By, 2015, selected for exhibition with .M Contemporary for their show No Place Like Home for the 2015 Australasia International Art Fair Sydney Contemporary.
This residency will enable me to expand my series to overseas locations, which has been a long time goal of mine, and is an amazing opportunity for me to further my artist career, develop and expand my practice and gain valuable experience as a full-time practicing artist.
The support of this campaign will allow me to undertake my residency in France by assisting with the funding of my trip. This includes helping to cover the costs of flights and travel expenses including insurance, my time spent at the residency, art supplies, research material and assist towards accommodation. Without this support, I will be unable to gain the funds to properly support this incredible opportunity.
I will be regularly posting updates on my website and Instagram account (@Rhiannonhopley) during my residency to show my travels, progress, processes and works. Once I return I will be looking to exhibit a collection of the works in 2018.
