12 Strands Farewell Spit Artist Residency

In the Spring of 2009, Kathy spent five days at Farewell Spit lighthouse with eleven other Golden Bay artists on the “Farewell Spit Artists’ Residency”. An initiative by Golden Bay Arts Council and local Department of Conservation, this was a very special opportunity to stay in the historic lighthouse keepers house and experience the rhythms of tide, day and night light, and of course the daily tourist arrival dependant on the tide.

The awe inspiring experiences of being under the light at night while it’s powerful beacon shone out into the darkness, sitting at the top of the tower in the pre-dawn light, being marooned at the lighthouse when the tide came in, and being able to stay on when the tourists were required to depart again, were all powerful influences for Kathy’s work produced for the subsequent exhibition in Takaka.