As the major ARTBOURNE exhibition is held every two years, in the “in-between” year Wellesley hosts an Artist Residency.

The first six resident artists we have hosted have been painters and sculptors, – Wayne Youle 2010, Ben Timmins 2013, and Sam Duckor-Jones 2015, Richard Adams 2017, Natchez Hudson 2019, William (Billy) Carden-Horton 2021 and now in 2023 we welcome Tim Christie.

Tim’s residency will take place at Wellesley for four weeks during August 2023, culminating in our Art Exhibition – ‘Create for a Cause’ with proceeds supporting the Mental Health Foundation. This is a very important cause and one that we are very proud to support. This year we invite you to join us for the Art Exhibition and purchase art from both the boys and a specially curated selection of Tim’s work.

Wellesley is proud that art is such a key part of it’s curriculum. The school boasts a large, airy art studio and this, coupled with the stunning location between the bush and the sea, creates a great physical environment in which creativity can be nurtured.  Glen Jorna, Visual Arts Specialist Teacher and a successful artist himself, welcomes a collaboration with the resident artist in his lessons with the boys. Moreover, the artist residency allows the boys to experience and work alongside an artist throughout their creative process.  This has provided yet another dimension to the boys’ art experience at Wellesley.

2023 Artist in Residence, Tim Christie and Wellesley boys during an art class

Our  ‘Create for a Cause’ Residency & Student Art Exhibition will be open to the public on Thursday 31st September 2023 to Saturday the 2nd of October, in Wellesley’s beautiful Centennial Hall.

Our exhibition this year features the iconic works by our 2023 Artist in Residence, Tim Christie. Tim Christie is a Wellington-based internationally represented artist. His art practice emerged from a series of explorations where he examined the intersection between geometric design and anatomical forms. Starting with pure digital art, his collection now includes original paintings, lightworks and weavings.

His unique style has been described as a modern synthesis of Op Art and Pop Art. In particular, he enjoys playing with the curious space between abstract and representational art. Tim’s has experienced rapid success in New Zealand and abroad, where he won an award with the UK’s largest fine art group. He has shown in a number of international destinations including Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Manchester, Chester, Edinburgh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles.

Tim recently opened his own gallery in central Wellington and is represented by galleries in New Zealand and overseas. His pieces now adorn the walls of collectors from around the world.

Tim’s art and Wellesley-inspired residency works will be for sale at the exhibition and 30% of sale proceeds will support the Promising futures for boys  scholarship programme.  Student artworks, produced during their ARTWEEK immersion, will also be on show.  Wellesley families normally ‘purchase’ their son(s)’ artwork(s) and make a donation to our Mental Health Foundation fundraising page.

If you are unable to attend the exhibition, but would still like to make a donation, we welcome you to support our Fundraising Page as part of the boys’ community service initiative ‘Create for Cause.’  100% of donations made directly to this page will go to the Mental Health Foundation.  Contributions are eligible for 33.33% tax rebates.  Further, if you are interested in purchasing any of Tim’s work, please let us know or contact Tim directly.