A picture book set in World War 1 and based on former Otago Boys' High School pupil and soldier Alexander Aitken's experiences is one of the projects to be worked on as a result of the arts fellowships announced by the University of Otago yesterday.
University vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne announced the six 2015 recipients at a University Council meeting.
''I look forward to the prose, art and performances that almost always result from these prestigious fellows, who walk in the footsteps of some of New Zealand's greatest writers, performers and artists who have held these fellowships before them,'' she said.
Children's writers Robyn Belton, from Dunedin, and Jennifer Beck, from Auckland, will take up the six-month University of Otago College of Education-Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence to write a book on Mr Aitken, who played the violin for his comrades even in the trenches of Gallipoli.
Wellington-based poet Louise Wallace received the Robert Burns Fellowship and planned to create her third collection of poetry.
''I'm excited to see what I can do with such a generous block of writing time,'' she said.
The 2015 Frances Hodgkins Fellowship was awarded to Auckland-based multi-disciplinary artist John Ward Knox.
The Caroline Plummer Dance Fellow is United States-based Uzoamaka Nwankpa who, as a result of an interest stemming from her career as a community health nurse, plans to address prenatal and post-partum mood disorders using a multi-disciplinary approach.
Composer Jeremy Mayall has been awarded the Mozart Fellowship for the second year in a row and will continue to develop his collaborative cross-disciplinary work and focus on some new recordings.
