Art Work introduces artists from across New Zealand and provides a rare glimpse into what it takes to sustain a creative life; showcasing the labour, energy, and resilience that artists pour into their craft.
Commissioned by Creative New Zealand and written by Sam Brooks, the series explores the real-life challenges, dedication, and hard work that goes into making the art we love.
The series features artists like actor and writer Ana Scotney, Poet Laureate Christ Tse, theatre-maker and actor Anapela Polataivao, crochet artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, fashion designer Steven Junil Park, dancer Rodney Bell and author Pip Adam.
“Like many jobs, the amount of labour, time and energy it takes to even get to the point where a creative can make that work is huge. That’s true of all art forms – whether it’s painting, live performance, video game production, musical composition, sculpture, or writing. What comes out at the end of a process is barely representative of the work that went into making it; it’s the tip of the iceberg made up of blood, sweat, tears and, probably, lots of emails.”
Sam Brooks, Art Work commissioning editor
Beyond the creative process, Art Work highlights the broader realities faced by artists: the need for fair remuneration, sustainable working conditions, and the relationship between passion and livelihood.
Click through to The Spinoff to hear from the artists themselves and discover the stories behind their work — the dedication, challenges, and successes that make art a job worth celebrating.
Photos by Ralph Brown