Residency leaves big impression

Henderson House artists in residence Gregory O’Brien and Jenny Bornholdt reflect on their year in Alexandra. Photo: Pam Jones
Henderson House artists in residence Gregory O’Brien and Jenny Bornholdt reflect on their year in Alexandra. Photo: Pam Jones
Departing Henderson House artists-in-residence Gregory O’Brien and Jenny Bornholdt say they were ‘‘unprepared’’ for the lasting impact Central Otago would have on them and they would like to return to put down some roots in the district.

Pam Jones talks to them about writing, painting and the clock on the hill.

Coming from the urban surrounds of windy Wellington to the still of Central Otago, artist Gregory O'Brien and writer Jenny Bornholdt soon warmed to the quiet of their new home.

''It's been wonderful, moving to a different place and pace of life,'' O'Brien said.

''It's like the clock on the hill moves to a different time.''

The Alexandra clock has featured strongly in the body of work O'Brien has produced during the year-long artists' residency he and his wife Jenny Bornholdt have just completed at Henderson House, where the residency has a point of difference - you cannot apply for it, but must be invited.

Bornholdt, who has finished editing a book of poems while in Alexandra and written most of a book of her own poems as well, said the time and perspective the residency offered had allowed the work to be done.

''It lets you wander around for a day with lots of things in your head that turn into poems.''

Then: ''just staring out the window from that beautiful room [in Henderson House] got the book written''.

The Clutha River and the Hawkdun Range, the hawks and the mountains ''and all of the surroundings'' found their way into Bornholdt's poems, which should be published in an anthology this year.

The couple say Central Otago has featured strongly in their work and think it will continue to do so.

''It's very much the sort of place you want to respond to ... I bet I'll write more about being here when I'm not here'', O'Brien said.

They have loved the light and the vigour of Central Otago's seasons and O'Brien was grateful to be the first artist to make use of the studio at Henderson House.

''It was like utopia for an artist.''

The house also made its mark on the couple and they are planning to write about it later.

But it is the friendship and ''immediate connection'' with Central Otago that has touched the couple the most.

Already hoping for a good, productive year, they were most surprised by the lasting effect Central Otago had on them.

As well as planning book launches, art exhibitions and more writing this year, the couple are working out ways to come back to Alexandra or its surrounds.

''We'd love to have a base in Central.''

O'Brien and Bornholdt returned to their home in Wellington yesterday.

-Gregory O'Brien and Jenny Bornholdt have various fellowships and awards to their names. They are both Arts Foundation Laureates, and both were made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2013.

-The next artist in residence at Henderson House will be artist Dick Frizzell.

pam.jones@odt.co.nz

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