C.V.
Showing Work (group exhibitions/collaborations)
2022 Take Care / Tiakina: 15 Jan - 5 March. Papakura Art Gallery. Curated by Sonja van Kerkhoff. See Catalogue
Right Ascension: June 23 - August 7. Represented by Mokopōpaki, Auckland; for Matariki at The Wallace Arts Centre, Pah Homestead
Predator Free New Zealand 2050 (PFNZ2050): 05 Sep - 02 Oct at Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa. Curated by Valerie Cuthbert
Predator Free New Zealand 2050 (PFNZ2050): 22 Oct - 14 Nov at Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa. Curated by Valerie Cuthbert
Roman Mitch: Red Teddy, Curated by Mokopōpaki. Roman Mitch (with Marcel Tautahi, Ngaroma Natalia, Mokopōpaki, Penelope Sue,
Rangitauninihi, Ursula Christel, and Yllwbro), 25 Sep - 13 Nov, at TE TUHI CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, Auckland
2021 Take Care / E Tiaki - an International cross-cultural Project and Exhibition. Curated by Sonja van Kerkhoff. See Projects.
Exhibition at artHAUS, 228 Ōrākei Rd, Auckland | Tāmaki-makau-rau, Aotearoa | New Zealand
Where the Seabirds Go (the Overwintering Project) - curated group show, Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa. See Projects
2020 Chess - Ursula Christel & Roman Mitch. Collaborative exhibition at Mokopōpaki, Ground Floor, 454 Karangahape Road, Auckland. Catalogue link
Manners of Speaking | Te Pūkoro o Tāne ; Geoff Wilson Gallery, Whangarei. Over 50 works in diverse media on themes of Proverbs and Sayings, by artists
based in Aotearoa and beyond, curated by Sonja van Kerkhoff with 3rd year NorthTec year students.
Video footage of the show, here. Review: Connecting Art in a time of Crisis: New Zealand –The Netherlands
Online Catalogue, here
Ko rātou, ko tātou | On Otherness and Us-ness ; NorthArt Gallery, Auckland. Curated by Salama Moata McNamara and Sonja van Kerkhoff. Paying homage to
the Aotearoa | New Zealand Muslim community after the horror of the Christchurch Massacre on March 15, 2019. "Some works are aesthetic responses to the Christchurch mosque massacre, while others are recontexualisations in relation to the Qur'an and the diverse cultures and histories of Islamic worlds. The curation positions work by contemporary artists and craftmakers in multi-layered dialogues with an Islamic space." Catalogue link
2019 HĀTEPE ; organised by Roman Mitch. Group exhibition at Mokopōpaki, Auckland. (Hātepe. v.i. Proceed in an orderly manner, follow in regular sequence.
Algorithm). Event announcement here. Catalogue here.
War and Peace ; Metropolis Museum, 116 Symonds Street, Grafton. Exhibition combining contemporary visual arts, sculpture, photography and poetry by NZ and international artists, to commemorate 100 years since the year after conclusion of World War I.
The Overwintering Project ; Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa. International art project to bring visibility to migratory shorebirds and their diminishing habitats -
our most endangered group of birds. See Projects
2018 Mother Love: He Oha nā Te Whaea ; Solo exhibition at Mokopōpaki, Ground Floor, 454 Karangahape Road, Auckland
Exhibition catalogue / Press release here.
2017 The Tomorrow People: re-imagining the future differently ; curated by Christina Barton, Stephen Cleland, Simon Gennard - Adam Art Gallery, Wellington. Participated in ‘Flowers of the Field III’ - a collaborative installation by Yllwbro
Korekore Whakapiri ; group exhibition at Mokopōpaki, Auckland.
Other Perspectives; selected group show in the Brown Room, Mokopōpaki, Auckland. Catalogue here.
2016 New Perspectives ; Artspace, Auckland; curated by Artspace NZ and Simon Denny. Represented Yllwbro (anonymous sibling duo) and participated in ‘Flowers
of the Field I’ - a collaborative wall installation. More here.
2015 Transformation; curated and created an interactive, multi-media, doco-exhibition on the history of the Estuary Arts Centre - Tui Room, Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa
2011 How.Diversity.Works ; selected group exhibition at ArtStation, Ponsonby, Auckland. Exhibited ‘Exquisitely Unique’ - an installation created as a diverse
community collaboration.
"How Diversity Works is an exhibition that delves into a complex and intriguing dialogue about diversity, moving beyond the usual categories, such as culture, gender, sexuality and disability. It confronts humanity’s challenge to understand the uniqueness and commonality that exists in all people, in all places, at all times. The exhibition features a diverse range of art mediums, by 20 artists from both New Zealand and abroad."
Kaipara Sculpture Park, Kaipara. Participant in ‘The Dark Souls of Women’ by Sue Hill and Karleen Winters
2010 Collaboration - ‘Open Ended Conversation’ - a social commentary installation at Estuary Art Centre, Orewa, Auckland.
4th collective exhibition - collaboration with Sue Hill and Karleen Winters. See Projects
2009 Studio Works ; group show by invitation, Estuary Art Centre, Orewa, Auckland
Women Art ; group show by invitation, Estuary Art Centre, Orewa, Auckland
2008 The Spiritual in Art ; Massey University Campus, Albany
Soul Expressions ; Estuary Art Centre, Orewa, Rodney District
2007 More than Words ; 3rd collective exhibition with Sue Hill and Karleen Winters, NorthArt, Northcote, Auckland. See Projects
2006 Baradene Art Exhibition ; Remuera, Auckland
Art on the Greens ; Gulf Harbour Country Club, Gulf Harbour, Auckland
2005 Making Impressions ; with Karleen Winters. Printmaking and ceramics at Arts Desire, Warkworth
Rodney District Art Awards ; Old Masonic Hall, Warkworth
2004 The Discussion Continues… 2nd collective exhibition with Sue Hill and Karleen Winters, PumpHouse, Takapuna. See Projects
My Country, my Land ; Rodney Professional Artists Exhibition, Matakana Country Park, Matakana
2003 Visual Discussion ; 1st collective exhibition with Sue Hill and Karleen Winters, Old Masonic Hall, Warkworth. See Projects
[Venue for the Mayoral Function for International Dignitaries - Warkworth 150th Anniversary Celebration.]
1990 Volkskas Atelier Exhibition; selected show, NSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa
1987 Volkskas Atelier Exhibition; selected show, NSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa
Sharing Knowledge (speaker / discussion panels)
2018 Culture Matters Symposium: Women in the Arts; Art History Society, University of Auckland, Engineering Building, Neon Foyer.
Culture Matters: Accessing the Arts seeks to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in our GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) and raise questions
of development and accessibility in public and participatory spaces.
Electric Night, Artweek Auckland 2018, at Mokopōpaki - speaking to Mother Love: He Oha nā Te Whaea
2017 Improbable Futures forum at the Pyramid Club, Wellington - part of The Adam Art Gallery public programme for The Tomorrow People. To share perspectives on Yllwbro and Mokopopaki on the theme of Post-institutional Practices: New Collaborations.
Creativity - Discussion panel : AGM Estuary Art Centre Trust, Orewa
2016 Represented Yllwbro at the New Perspectives exhibition at Artspace, Auckland. Participated in floor talks, educational activities and public panel discussions for Artweek Auckland 2016
2005 Art Appreciation - Presentation at Rodney District Council Building for RDC staff/employees
1995 Presented Entrepreneurial Arts and Crafts/ the EAC Programme at National Art Conference, Durban, South Africa
Shaping Spaces (curatorial projects)
2015 Transformation; curated the interactive, multi-media, doco-exhibition on the history of the Estuary Arts Centre, Tui Room, Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa.
2008 Soul Expressions, curated and exhibited in group show in Main Gallery, Estuary Art Centre, Orewa, Auckland
Sense-ational Art PLEASE TOUCH, curated and participated in the interactive, sensory art exhibition, in Kowhai Room, Estuary Art Centre, Orewa
Rock & Roll; curated the group exhibition and facilitated an interactive piano-painting ‘improvisation’; Estuary Art Centre, Orewa
2005 Rodney Rocks! Curated and participated in a group show of artists from the Rodney District, at PumpHouse Gallery, Takapuna
2004 "11", curated Hungry Creek Art and Craft School Graduates Exhibition; at The Edge, Aotea Centre, Auckland
Publications
2021: Mix & Stir: New Outlooks on Contemporary Art from Global Perspectives. Essay by Sonja van Kerkhoff - 'Mutability'. Ursula Christel referenced in pg 261.
2015: Photographer & artist assistant at Sculpture by the Sea, Denmark.
2013: Abstract Figure: Gill Gatfield, Editor & essay author, photography where credited, published by Kikorangi Press, 2013.
Book launch event held at Spark HQ, 167 Victoria Street West, Auckland - part of the International Sculpture Symposium 2013
2006-2011: Senior Researcher/Editor, Management Team for Celebrate Art educational resources (for Australia and New Zealand).
Published by Integrated Education Ltd. Author, photographer and assistant layout designer for:
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Exploring Drawing: Looking at Contemporary Drawing, 2011
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Animals in Contemporary Art, 2010
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Vehicles in Contemporary Art, 2010
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Text in Contemporary Art, 2009
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Buildings in Contemporary Art, 2008
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Landforms in Contemporary Art; 2008
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Aspects of Fire in Contemporary Art, 2008
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Working with Clay, 2008
2009: 'Art in Education: Creative Programmes to motivate students’- published in SchoolNews educators magazine.
Awards | Grants
2014 - Nominated for Best Set Design for a Musical (Singin' in the Rain) at Showdown Awards, Auckland.
2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 – awarded Creative NZ grants for a range of community exhibitions/projects in the Rodney District
2005 - Rodney District Art Award; Premium Winner
1985 - Merit Certificate; History of Architecture and Related Arts, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa
1984 & 85 - University of Natal Bursary
1979 & 80 - University of Natal Bursary
1976 & 78 - Academic Honours ( Sec. school)
Teaching: 1983 - current
2022 Art Teacher / Horizon School College, Snells Beach, Rodney
2017 - 20 Art classes at StudioChristel
2018 Art Intensive classes, Horizon School, Snells Beach, Rodney
2006-17 Consultant/specialist tutor for Performance Technology/Set Design/Publicity Design, Drama Department, Kingsway School, Orewa
2004 Art History Tutor yr12/13 (Part-time), Kingsway School, Orewa
2001/3 Art History Tutor; Established the 1st year Art History Foundation Course; Hungry Creek Art and Craft School, Puhoi
2000 Art teacher, Intermediate school yr7/8 Art; Kingsway School, Orewa
1998 Textile Painting Course - Community Education, Orewa College, Auckland.
1993-95 Head of Art Department - Thomas More College, Hillcrest, Natal, South Africa
Natal Matriculation Examination marker: Art History
1988-91 Head of Art Department - Westville Girls High School, Westville, Natal, South Africa
1986-88 Head of Art Department - Durban Girls High School, Durban, Natal, South Africa
1983-84 Art Teacher - Lyttelton Manor High School, Transvaal, South Africa
Scenic Design projects
Centrestage Theatre, Orewa - for Kingsway School Productions
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2016, 'Peter Pan'
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2014, 'Singin' in the Rain'
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2012, 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe'
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2011, 'Little Women'
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2010, 'The Importance of being Earnest'
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2009, 'My Fair Lady' (at Whangaparaoa College Theatre)
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2006, 'A Midsummer Night Dream'
Centrestage Theatre, Orewa - for Centrestage Theatre Company
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2006, 'Anything Goes'
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2004, 'Sweeney Todd'
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2004, 'A Slice of Saturday Night'
Qualifications
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, B.Arch. I, 1985
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, Post-graduate Higher Education Diploma; Majors in Art/English, 1982
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, B.A. Majors in Fine Art & Art History, 1979-1981
Collections
Rodney District Council: Life Forms, 2005
Wallace Arts Trust: Contains No Preservatives: Study After Bacon’s Study After Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X (1953), 2018
Wallace Arts Trust: Adjust to the Driving, 2018
Volunteer | Community
2021 Member of the Kauri Bushmen's Association, Warkworth
Member of Mahurangi Artists Network (MAN)
2020 Founder/Secretary of Rodney Inclusive Communities Inc. (RICI), Rodney District/Auckland
2020 Volunteer at Warkworth District's Museum, Warkworth
2009/current Founding Trustee and Website/Social Media manager of The Angelman Network - a registered non-profit Charitable Trust in New Zealand.
[Christel has a son with Angelman Syndrome]
2012/current Co-founder of International Angelman Day. Website/social media manager for International Angelman Day (15 Feb)
2017 - 19 Founding member of Wilson Home Family Action Group Inc., Takapuna/Auckland
2014 -16 Trustee, Estuary Arts Centre Trust (EACT), Orewa/Auckland
2008 Exhibitions Coordinator and Curator; Estuary Art Centre, Orewa/Auckland
2008 Parent Trustee Advisor - Motuora Parent Action Group, Red Beach School, Orewa/Auckland
2004 - 07 Founding member and Secretary, The Arts Forum Inc. (TAFI), Hibiscus Coast/Auckland
2004 Coordinator for POP (Philosophy over Pizza) Roadshow - a nationwide project for NZ Association for Gifted Children (NZAGC), funded by the Todd Foundation
1999 Education Officer, Silverdale Playcentre Committee, Silverdale