Arts Foundation Laureates honoured

Five New Zealand artists have each received $50,000, a specially-commissioned Terry Stringer statuette and been honoured for their achievements at the ninth annual Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Awards in Wellington. The recipients of the 2008 Laureate Awards are visual artist Shane Cotton, costume designer Ngila Dickson, actor George Henare, writer Lloyd Jones and operatic baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes.
 
Arts Foundation of New Zealand chairman Ros Burdon hosted the ceremony (photo, top) on behalf of Forsyth Barr, the long-term principal sponsor of the Arts Foundation and presenting sponsor of the Laureate Awards. “The Laureate Awards are given to artists whose careers are in full-flight," she said. "The investment is to help the artists continue to achieve their goals. All of this year’s recipients are exceptional artists with success both behind and in front of them. We are delighted to once again join with Forsyth Barr and congratulate them all.”
 
Laureates Don McGlashan and Phil Dadson provided a tongue in cheek introduction to the 2008 Awards (bottom, left) with an irreverent soundscape that subtly mocked 'artists' paradoxical need for both peaceful isolation and public acknowledgment. Each of the five recipients were then progressively introduced, revealed and finally interviewed by previous laureates. Composer Jack Body (who received his Laureate in 2004) introduced Teddy Tahu Rhodes interviewed Teddy (bottom, right) and in the ensuing conversation the baritone professed his interest in new New Zealand music. We look forward to hosting him at SOUNZ in due course.

These five new Laureates join 44 prior recipients:

• 2007 Michael Houston, Sarah-Jayne Howard, Colin McColl, Moana Maniapoto, Merilyn Wiseman
• 2006 Alun Bollinger, Alastair Galbraith, Oscar Kightley, John Reynolds, Ian Wedde
• 2005 Neil Ieremia, Bill Manhire, Julia Morison, Simon O’Neill, Ronnie Van Hout
• 2004 Barry Barclay, Jack Body, Derek Lardelli, John Pule, Ann Robinson
• 2003 Jenny Bornholdt, Neil Dawson, Michael Hurst, Humphrey Ikin, John Psathas
• 2002 Warwick Freeman, Shona McCullagh, Don McGlashan, Helen Medlyn , Jacob Rajan
• 2001 Phil Dadson, Kate De Goldi, Michael Parekowhai, Gaylene Preston
• 2000 Briar Grace-Smith, Elizabeth Knox, Peter Peryer, Gillian Karawe Whitehead, Douglas Wright