ART RESIDENCY WITH JOYA: AiR
- tesssheerin
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
E kore au e ngaro, he kakano ahau I ruia mai i Rangiatea. I can never be lost, I am a seed sown from Rangiatea.

Travel has always been close to my heart. So is my connection to my homeland Aotearoa, New Zealand. The winds of life can whisk us away to unexpected places. Following a week soaking up the abundance of art in Madrid, including photoESPANA where I hoped to catch a spark to take with me into my residency with Joya: arte and ecología / AiR.

In the studio I have been working on a set of mixed media artworks that explore the four elements; tierra (earth), aire (air), agua (water), fuego (fire). I have worked experimentally and incorporated techniques that directly play with these elements, by collecting blanco clay, coffee and beetroot compost, conjuring air/bubbles, watercolour exploration and sourcing fire from a candle.

I have been blown away by my experience here. The generosity and knowledge that both Simon and Donna have shared has been phenomenal. To be working close to other artists from different corners of the globe has been eye opening and inspirational. Everyone produces such different work and yet we all share some similar values. What an incredibly special environment to be immersed in.

From the left to right, Tess Sheerin, Nadine Valcin, Berin Golonu and Richard Barlow
While these 2 dimensional artworks hold space on their own they are a complementary edition to my sculpture series “Elemental” that has been under development in Aotearoa. These prototype sculptures explore the importance of inner peace through elemental connections and depict the four elements as fun, fictional, atua-like deities, while leaving the viewer as the possible fifth element.

The process started as a simple line drawing, aimed to capture the space between thoughts experienced during meditation where the mind is quiet. For me this was an interesting feeling to try put to paper. Then, working with some wonderfully talented, highly skilled people and dabbling in art that combines technology and the mechanical, we have a rather fascinating outcome (see previous post to read about the people involved).

Stainless steel is a material that is resistant to weathering and corrosion. By showcasing the beauty of sustainable materials this series aims to inspire the viewer to reconsider their relationship with the environment and take action towards a greener future.
My connection and relationship with the sky has been rekindled. Both sunrise and sunset have been an integral part of my day. We have experienced the sun appearing like a ripe apricot and disappearing just the same. The thunderstorms and atmospheric cloud formations have been fascinating backdrops to photographically explore with the ‘Elemental’ sculptures series.


Most days the temperature is 30° plus; this desert environment is like nothing I have experienced. Frida the giant schnauzer and her best friend Fufu the goat make us laugh. There are bugs, birds, snails and a house visiting snake. I am both anxious and enlivened at the same time. While there are these challenges, I reflect on how lucky I am to be here, with gratitude to all of the people back home who have supported me to make this possible.


Joya: AiR’s mission to “engage with contemporary thought in relation to climate change and sustainability via education, research and activism” is something I wholeheartedly connect with. It has been a real honour to be part of this.

