Writer new artist in residence

By ODT | Posted: Friday Oct 25, 2024

Congratulations to Laurence Fearnley - selected as the latest artist in residence at Henderson House in Alexandra

Writer new artist in residence | Otago Daily Times Online News

Award-winning Dunedin novelist Laurence Fearnley has been selected as the latest artist in residence at Henderson House in Alexandra.

The residency, managed by the Russell Henderson Charitable Trust under the trusteeship of Perpetual Guardian, offers the opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in one of New Zealand’s most scenic locations.

The trust said in a statement its residency programme had been in operation since 2007 and Dr Fearnley was preceded by other distinguished artists in residence, such as writer Sir Vincent O’Sullivan, the inaugural resident, playwright Sir Roger Hall, composer Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead, writer Owen Marshall, poet and anthologist Jenny Bornholdt, photographer Peter Peryer, jeweller Warwick Freeman, writer Kevin Ireland and painter Dick Frizzell.

Dr Fearnley was looking forward to the residency.

"I have been fortunate to spend the past 26 years of my life writing and publishing novels and works of non-fiction.

"The majority of my work has centred on stories related to the South Island, with a strong focus on the southern region of Otago," she said.

"Stunning locations and rural communities have drawn my attention time after time, and I feel a strong pull to continue writing about places that tend to be overlooked due to their distance from the main urban centres.

"It has been a dream of mine to spend time living in Central Otago, a place I love, and the chance to take up a residency at Henderson House in Alexandra is one I treasure.

"I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity and the generosity and support of the trust in making the house available."

The property was originally set up for the benefit of the people of Otago and intended to be a music studio but today celebrates artists of all kinds.

As the founding Henderson family intended, residents give back to the community during their time at Henderson House.

Dr Fearnley hopes to run workshops and give talks while working on her new book.