C H AT T E R S E C T I O N H E A D E R
CPotY Snapshots
Title: Last Light Photographer: Andy Hansen Category: Inside semi-finalist
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Behind the camera: Software developer and self-confessed “doomscroller” Andy admits it took him longer than it should to lose his “apathetic teenager mindset.” Now he’s finding plenty to enjoy, photography being one such pastime. He grew up in Dunedin and completed his undergraduate degree there, before heading to the capital.
Poet, editor, and regular Capital columnist Chris Tse has been announced as Aotearoa’s 13th poet laureate. Born and raised in Lower Hutt, Chris has been writing poetry since the age of 16, and now, at 39, he has published three poetry collections, edited several anthologies, and performed at literary festivals here and abroad. Chris’s tenure as laureate covers the next two years, during which he will receive a $100,000 stipend to fund his role of promoting poetry and producing new works.
Why photography? It is a “fusion of hobby and compulsion.” Capturing the “coming and going” in the world is what he loves about photography – recording change, decay, and growth. Andy has recently begun shooting for Capital.
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The snap: Last Light varied from Andy’s usual black and white work. The image was captured at the Workingmen’s Bowling Club in Newtown, which closed in 2021. Arriving with his camera just as golden hour was starting, he says it “felt like a bit of a time capsule.” The club is now boarded up. “I think of the years of great memories that were likely had there. Now they have to happen somewhere else.”
A WOW w i n Wellington writer, illustrator, and costume and props maker Fifi Colston won the Aotearoa category of this year’s World of Wearable Art competition. Her design, which she co-created with Bruce Mahalski, artist and director of the Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery, was called Fera Dei and featured animal bones on the bodice. Fifi has been entering WOW since 1995, notching up 27 finalist designs. Hawke’s Bay artist Kate MacKenzie was crowned Supreme WOW Award winner for the second time, for her garment Wanton Widow.
Judge’s thoughts: Te Papa curator Lizzie Bisley: “I was impressed with this image, using an empty room and still life objects to convey pathos and loss. I loved the fact that this photograph turned away from the view of the outside – focusing on light cast in from a window, rather than allowing us to look out.”
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