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Christchurch Artist Cheryl Lucas Named Arts Laureate, Receives $50,000

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Celebrated Christchurch artist Cheryl Lucas received an unexpected call that turned out to be a life-changing announcement. Initially skeptical of the unknown caller, Lucas discovered she was selected as one of the 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureates, joining the ranks of notable figures such as Don McGlashan, Lisa Reihana, Taika Waititi, and Bill Manhire.

The award is one of New Zealand’s highest artistic honors, and Lucas, known for her thought-provoking ceramic work, expressed her delight. “It’s a massive affirmation,” the 71-year-old said, reflecting on how the award grants her the freedom to explore more daring artistic expressions. Each of the eight laureates will also receive a financial award of $50,000, a significant increase from last year’s $35,000.

From Childhood to Artistic Recognition

Born at Bendigo Station in central Otago, Lucas’s childhood was shaped by the remnants of ceramics left by English and Chinese gold rush miners. “I used to be fascinated by that, and that whole idea of ceramics giving us our history and telling us our stories,” she recalled. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion that eventually led her to study at the Otago School of Art and later at Wimbledon College of Art in late 1970s London.

After returning to New Zealand, Lucas devoted herself to both creating and teaching art. Her career took a pivotal turn in 1981 with an exhibition at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery in Christchurch, which ignited her passion for clay and surface design. “That exhibition really blew my mind and got me very fired up about what I was going to do,” she said.

In the early 2000s, a trip to China further expanded her artistic vision, leading her to incorporate installations into her work. This shift allowed her to engage in broader social commentary, particularly reflected in her 2011 installation, Harder Larder, which critiqued the normalization of excess in contemporary society.

Impact of the Canterbury Earthquakes

The devastating Canterbury earthquakes changed the landscape of Christchurch, providing Lucas with a unique opportunity to contribute to the restoration of the city. “Christ’s College needed new pots and a finial for their chapel, and that’s really when it started,” she explained. Through word of mouth, Lucas became the go-to artist for chimney pots, with around 40 to 50 now adorning various buildings across Christchurch, including Riccarton House and the heritage building at 21 Worcester Boulevard.

Following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucas began exploring new themes in her work, drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s unique flora. Her 2021 series, Subterfuge, reflected on the natural defenses of plants and their parallels to the protections society established during the health crisis.

During a ceremony held in Auckland, Lucas joined seven other artists in receiving the prestigious laureate award, marking the 25th anniversary of the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi’s program. Married to retired landscape architect Peter Rough, Lucas noted that her current stage in life allows her to create without the pressure of financial constraints. “The pressure’s off to have to make money out of it at my age,” she said, emphasizing her desire to continue commenting on social and environmental issues through her art.

Cheryl Lucas’s journey from a curious child among shards of ceramics to a celebrated artist receiving one of New Zealand’s top honors exemplifies the power of creativity and resilience. With the support of the Arts Foundation, she is poised to push boundaries and further her impactful artistic narrative.

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