Sarah Hudson

Sarah Hudson, an artist based in Whakatāne, has exhibited widely in her individual practice and with the highly-acclaimed Mataaho Collective. Hudson’s solo practice explores tino rangatiritanga (sovereignty), play, whenua (land), reciprocity, and relationships through painting, performance, video and sculpture. Completing her Masters in Fine Arts with distinction through Massey University in Wellington in 2010, Hudson has exhibited nationally and internationally with Mata Aho. She is also a founding member of the Kauae Raro Research Collective - an organisation dedicated to the promotion and retention of Māori paint-making technologies.

I am humbled and honoured to receive this incredible opportunity to undertake the Artist Residency and participate in the Setouchi Triennale. I’m looking forward to furthering my practice, which is grounded in my Māori heritage, in the land of the rising sun. Nga mihi maioha, heartfelt gratitude to McCahon House, the Fukutake Family, Setouchi Triennale and Asia New Zealand Foundation for recognizing the power of indigenous voices and perspectives. I’m ready to make meaningful connections through art."  Sarah Hudson.

Benesse Art Site Naoshima, Japan

"Benesse Art Site Naoshima" is the collective name for all art-related activities conducted by Benesse Holdings, Inc. and Fukutake Foundation on the islands of Naoshima and Teshima in Kagawa Prefecture and on Inujima island in Okayama Prefecture. Their fundamental aim is to create significant spaces by bringing contemporary art and architecture in resonance with the pristine nature of the Seto Inland Sea, a landscape with a rich cultural and historical fabric. Through contacts with art and nature, sceneries and inhabitants of the Seto Inland Sea region, they seek to inspire visitors to reflect on the meaning of Benesse's motto - Well-Being. In all their ongoing activities, they are committed to fostering a relationship of mutual growth between art and the region, aiming to make a positive contribution to the local communities.

Setouchi Triennale 

An internationally regarded contemporary art event in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea with typically over 150 artists participating and attracting 1.2 million visitors throughout the 9 months of its duration. The Seto Inland Sea has been a vital transportation route since ancient times. Ships plying its waters stopped at different islands where their crew passed along the latest cultural and lifestyle trends. The distinctive local cultures that emerged through such interactions can still be found today.
The islands’ unique identities, however, are being eroded by the shrinking and aging of their populations and the region’s diminishing vitality which have accompanied the acceleration of globalization, optimization and homogenization. Through the Setouchi Triennale, we aim to revitalize island communities that once thrived within the spectacular setting of the Seto Inland Sea, a nexus of trade and cultural exchange, and transform this region into a Sea of Hope for the world.

Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee President: Toyohito Ikeda (Governor of Kagawa Prefecture), General Producer: Soichiro Fukutake (Honourable Chairman of the Board, Fukutake Foundation), General Director: Fram Kitagawa (Art Director)

STILL is a community of businesses, projects and social enterprises based in Aotearoa New Zealand, that espouses a unique worldview focused on the development of art, culture and nature. The Fukutake family have lived in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2009. As founders and guardians of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, they are pleased to be able to facilitate connections between Japan and New Zealand.

“In my work in both Japan and New Zealand I am looking to develop projects that can endure for centuries, and have a strong heritage and reputation that future generations can be proud of. There are a lot of shared values between Japan and New Zealand and I am pleased we can develop new arts projects and relationships between the two countries I consider home”, says Hideaki Fukutake, Chief Executive STILL, Chair Fukutake Foundation and Director Benesse Holdings.

Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading authority on Asia. They provide experiences and resources to help New Zealanders build their knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in Asia. The Foundation’s activities cover more than 20 countries in Asia and are delivered through nine core programmes: arts, business, education, entrepreneurship, leadership, media, research, Track II diplomacy and sports.   

The Foundation's arts programme aims to bring Asia into the mainstream of New Zealand arts by inspiring New Zealand arts professionals to grow their connections and knowledge of Asia. They help New Zealanders build their knowledge of Asia through partnerships with influential individuals and organisations in both New Zealand and Asia, offering opportunities for international collaborations and professional development.  

“Forming long-term partnerships with first class practitioners means we can develop really substantial opportunities for New Zealand artists to participate in projects and form new networks in Asia,” says Craig Cooper, Director Arts at Asia New Zealand Foundation.  

The Tomorrow Group

McCahon House are partnering with the Tomorrow Group to ensure the successful delivery of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima residency.

The Tommorrow Group are our patrons that support McCahon House Trust’s special projects and to learn more about membership and associated benefits, please visit the page dedicated to The Tomorrow Group on our website. 

Please continue to check this page as it will be updated as the project develops.