Peace Out

Kia Ora,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, Ruby Watson, to you. I am the new curatorial assistant at the Depot Artspace. I am really looking forward to working on the Cultural Mapping project, with my role in particular focusing on the Peace Map.

Today I’ve been taken on a delightful tour of the Depot Artspace and all it’s nooks and crannies. We also went for a wonder up the road to the Kerr Street building – now I am even more excited about getting involved in such a fresh and inspiring project and team.

I have just graduated from a Master of Architecture (prof) in which I wrote my thesis ‘The Exquisite Corpse’. This researched how art plays a major part in creating more engaging, inspiring cities and places. In summary, my thesis holds education through art and active participation as integral to creating a sense of belonging in a place; learning through doing as key to positive spatial experiences. An understanding of history and story, our own, others’ and our surroundings’ story, plays a part in this education. I feel incredibly fortunate to land a job that enables me to put my thesis into practice!

Prior to embarking on my masters I spent three months working in Tanzania where I taught English, art and music. It was here, along with three years in London working as part of an architectural team on education and community based projects, that I realized the passion I have for community and arts, this inspiring my thesis.

Peace is a particularly important part of New Zealand’s history and development as a country, and this project will be a great opportunity for the community of New Zealand to share our history; our story.

Please feel free to contact me with any of your stories, be they photographs, ephemera and/or narratives. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Ruby

ruby.watson@depotartspace.co.nz