Wellington Viewpoint Wins Student Top Prize

A recent arrival to New Zealand Kumiko Matsumoto has taken out the top creative award in a stunning exhibition of young creative talent currently showing at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Shed 11 on Wellington’s Queens Wharf. 

Kumiko Matsumoto who has completed a Bachelor of Creative Technologies degree with the Wellington Institute of Technology has created a brand new viewpoint of Wellington’s identity using screen printing, letter press printing, paper illustration, typography, and font design. 

“I like to challenge the boundaries of art and design,” says Kumiko who was thrilled to receive the top student award presented by Andrew Glennie from Gordon Harris – national art and graphic store.

Kumiko’s project - Wellington City Identity - originally came to fruition through her affection and passion for her new home: Wellington city. 

Kumiko says, “Branding does not exist only for selling products and promoting businesses, it can be a good influence for the community.  A strong visual identity benefits the city and attracts visitors, giving citizens pleasure and pride which also positively influences the economy. Graphic design has the power to brand a city in a creative way and contributes to society.”

Kumiko’s talent was recognised when her artwork was blown up to a grand scale when it appeared on Metlink buses across Wellington in 2013.

“Work of this calibre is wonderful to see in young artists.  Kumiko is clearly a talented graphic designer which is being recognised by industry peers.  I am so impressed by her designs and her interpretations of Wellington are refreshing and dazzling,” says Linda Sissons, Chief Executive Wellington Institute of Technology.

Other work recognised were the Semi-Permanent Outliers awards, presented by Simon Velvin which went to April Wadley ('As I Stand' Photographic project) and Sarah Kirby ('F Waste', Recycling Food Waste Graphic Design Campaign).

Abby Wang’s 7 minute documentary 'Migrant Birds’ on her experience of immigrating to New Zealand also received special acknowledgment.  Abby’s startling video which tracks her departure from Beijing railway station to Wellington New Zealand can be viewed here:

EXHIBITION: IND:TE WAIRUA TAKITAHI

WHAT: WELLINGTON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BACHELOR OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES GRADUATE EXHIBITION 2014

WHERE: NEW ZEALAND PORTRAIT GALLERY AT SHED 11, QUEENS WHARF, WELLINGTON

WHEN: EXHIBITION RUNS UNTIL 3 NOVEMBER

Diversity is celebrated at the Wellington Institute of Technology Bachelor of Creative Technologies Graduate Exhibition at the NZ Portrait Gallery on 25 October - 3 November 2014.

Thirty two graduates from the interdisciplinary programme will display a crisp and refreshing collection that includes Interior Design, Photography, Illustration, Print Publication, Visual Arts, Animation and Screen Based Media.

The students have chosen to call the exhibition ‘ind.’ which was chosen to suggest multiple interpretations and meanings; independent, industry, individual, indefinable, index, indication.  These talented students see ind. as appropriate to the work that will be displayed as well as showcasing their broad skills that are relevant across all areas of the creative sector.

Wellington Institute of Technology students pride themselves on their collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach to creativity.  Students stand by this process of creative practice and are excited to share their values with Wellington’s creative community and those interested in new and emerging talent.  These new graduates are poised and prepared to give you an exciting presentation of what’s to come as they launch full force into their futures.

Please visit www.indexhibition.com for information about the exhibit and the artists.

Creative Technologies is part of the exciting new campus planned for Cuba St and opening in 2018. 
For more information on the Centre for Creative Technologies and Arts view: http://www.weltec.ac.nz/ABOUTWELTEC/NewsandEvents/Wellingtonsettocompeteonworldstage/tabid/1522/Default.aspx