Four portraits of writers are shown in a grid.

Clockwise from top-left: Thomasin Sleigh, Tina Makereti, Gregory Kan, Gwynneth Porter

KōreroTalk

What sparks the words?

A conversation with writers Tina Makereti, Gregory Kan, and Gwynneth Porter, on the dynamic possibilities for writing to respond to art beyond the essay, chaired by Thomasin Sleigh.

Writers are inspired and challenged by the visual arts, whether it be for its politics, its abstraction, its humour, or through creative and productive friendships with the artists themselves.

But what does “responding” to an artwork really mean? What are a writer’s specific considerations for different commissions and publications? Beyond the essay, what is the potential of fiction, poetry, and other literary forms to respond to a work of visual art? And what is the role of the reader, as the third party in a collaboration between a writer and artist? 

A starting point for this kōrero led by Thomasin Sleigh will be the recently published Legacies Reader, which includes Tina Makereti’s short story, ‘Black Milk’. This story was written in response to a photograph by Fiona Pardington and went on to be the Pacific Regional Winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2016.

Tina will be joined in conversation by writers Gregory Kan and Gwynneth Porter to discuss their writing and its dynamic and evolving relationship to the visual arts.

Thomasin Sleigh was CIRCUIT's 2022 writer in residence and is the editor of the Legacies Reader, which will be available for sale at the event.

Talk details

Wednesday 24 May 2023, 6pm

Adam Art Gallery Te Pātaka Toi

    Related artistHe ringatoi anō

    Martin takes a selfie in an old mirror with their iphone

    Martin Sagadin

    Martin Sagadin

    CIRCUIT is the
    leading voice
    for artist moving image
    practice
    in Aotearoa New Zealand,
    distributing works,
    critical review and
    dialogues
    which reflect our unique, contemporary
    South Pacific context.

    Ko CIRCUIT te māngai
    mō ngā mahi toi kiriata
    o Aotearoa, e tuku
    atu ana i ngā mahi toi,
    i ngā arotakenga
    me ngā whakawhitinga
    kōrero e kitea ai
    ngā āhuatanga
    motuhake o tō tātou noho i te ao hou ki
    Te Moananui-a-Kiwa.

    • AccessibilityNgā Āwhina
    • PrivacyTe Matatapu
    Creative New Zealand