C.V.

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Showing Work (group exhibitions/collaborations) 

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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2018    Mother Love: He Oha nā Te Whaea ; Solo exhibition at Mokopōpaki, Ground Floor, 454 Karangahape Road, Auckland

             Exhibition catalogue / Press release here.

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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. 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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1987    Volkskas Atelier Exhibition; selected show, NSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa

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Sharing Knowledge (speaker / discussion panels)

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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

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Shaping Spaces (curatorial projects)    

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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

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Publications 

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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:

• Exploring Drawing: Looking at Contemporary Drawing, 2011

• Animals in Contemporary Art, 2010

• Vehicles in Contemporary Art, 2010

• Text in Contemporary Art, 2009

• Buildings in Contemporary Art, 2008

• Landforms in Contemporary Art; 2008

• Aspects of Fire in Contemporary Art, 2008

• Working with Clay, 2008

2009: 'Art in Education: Creative Programmes to motivate students’- published in SchoolNews educators magazine.

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Awards | Grants

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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)

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Teaching: 1983 - current

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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        

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Scenic Design projects

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Centrestage Theatre, Orewa - for Kingsway School Productions

• 2016, 'Peter Pan'

• 2014, 'Singin' in the Rain'

• 2012, 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe'

• 2011, 'Little Women'

• 2010, 'The Importance of being Earnest'

• 2009, 'My Fair Lady' (at Whangaparaoa College Theatre)

• 2006, 'A Midsummer Night Dream'

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Centrestage Theatre, Orewa - for Centrestage Theatre Company

• 2006, 'Anything Goes'

• 2004, 'Sweeney Todd'

• 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 

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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

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Volunteer | Community​

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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

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