Callum Arnold

Artist in Residence, 2008

It is the ten year anniversary of the Rangi Ruru In-Residence Programme and we have been fortunate to celebrate this by having painter Callum Arnold for 2008.

Callum, originally from the Hawkes Bay, has lived in Christchurch for the past 14 years, studying at the School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury, attending Teachers’ College and teaching painting, printmaking and photography for the past five years at Lincoln High School. Callum is a gifted teacher, however, when he started, he established a personal goal of five years in the classroom to set himself up to be able to work full time as an artist.

Having achieved this, we welcome him to Rangi as he embarks on the first year of this new process.  

Callum is a painter. He works meticulously in oils on canvas. But the process by which he gathers information and composes his works is photographic.
Road trips over summer through the McKenzie  Country, the Southern lakes and the West Coast and Nelson regions have provided the stimulus and visual information that he then layers to provide the unique vision of the multi-dimensional landscapes that have been unfolding in the studio.
What makes the residency programme successful is the contact between the artist involved and the students. In this aspect the residency for 2008 has been extra special. The girls love Callum’s work and his willingness to share ideas, process and time with them has been enormously beneficial for all levels and for all disciplines within the Visual Arts Faculty.
I’ve been amazed some days that he can get any painting done with the number of students and visitors welcomed into his space! Callum has been with us for Term 2 and will be here for Term 3.
I would like to thank the Rangi Ruru Trust, the Board of Governors and the Management Team for making this possible for the students, staff and artists.
Juliet Collins, Coordinator, Visual Art Faculty