Meet the 2024 Ockham Collective
We're thrilled to finally announce the 12 artists that together form the 2024 Ockham Collective. They come from all corners of Tāmaki Makaurau's creative community, spanning the fields of music, theatre, film, literature and the visual arts.
Says Ockham Collective director Peter Dragicevich, "We were overwhelmed with applications for this year, making our selection extremely difficult – which was a great problem to have. It's humbling that so many highly talented artists value what involvement with the Ockham Collective provides. We aimed to achieve a good mix of artistic disciplines and backgrounds, and I feel we've done that. Although, we have made it complicated for ourselves with two Sam Bs and the second Sonya Wilson we've had on the Collective in three years!"
During their year on the Ockham Collective, our artists are provided with the use of three beautiful spaces in which to write, plan, rehearse, teach, perform, run workshops and host events. Although the official launch was last week, they've been utilising our spaces within The Nix, Modal and Tuatahi buildings since the beginning of the year.
Without further ado, here is our 2024 Ockham Collective (click on the links for more information):
Matías Avaca is the co-founder of Mabel Impro and the Auckland Improv Festival and a driving force behind Laenye Productions, a production company dedicated to promoting Spanish-speaking artists and fostering appreciation for Spanish and Latin American art and culture.
Sam Brooks is a journalist and award-winning playwright who has been longlisted for the Adam Awards 11 times and has made a significant contribution to representing queer male voices on New Zealand stages.
Sam Brough is principal contrabassoonist for the APO, a member of Ensemble Aaru reed quintet and president of the New Zealand Double Reed Society. He also teaches bassoon at the University of Auckland. In a varied career, he's performed at London's Festival Hall and with Scandi metal band Týr on the Faroe Islands.
Anna Duckworth has written and directed several short films, including Pain which screened at over 30 international festivals. Last year she won the People’s Choice Award for her romcom Just Kidding I Actually Love You at Show Me Shorts Film Festival, and she is the director of youth film initiative Day One Hāpai te Haeata.
Nigel Gavin is one of those musician’s musicians who has played guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, glissentar – indeed, almost anything with strings – with dozens of national and international artists. He’s the founder of the guitar ensemble Gitbox Rebellion.
Nathan Graves has worked within the music industry for more than 35 years in both A&R and marketing, serving as Head of Marketing at Universal NZ and Head of Jazz at Universal Music UK. He’s currently working on developing a diploma course under the banner of The Music Business School, which we hope to host at The Nix later in the year.
Keaton Hamilton is the visual artist on the Collective this year. She’s currently working at Ōtara’s Fresh Gallery and her aim for her Ockham Collective year is to provide an opportunity for young and emerging artists, especially BIPOC, to showcase their craft.
Catrin Johnsson is an accomplished opera singer who has performed leading roles with companies such as English National Opera and Opera NZ. She’s also a recitalist, voice teacher, stage director, language and vocal coach, and chorus master, and teaches at the University of Auckland.
Amy Mansfield is a writer, theatre maker and producer whose most recent production, H.R. The Musical, had a sold-out season at Q Theatre earlier this year and is about to return as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival (catch it at Q from 7 to 11 May).
Talia Pua is the co-founder and artistic director of independent theatre company, Hand Pulled Collective. In 2021, she made her playwriting and directing debut with Pork and Poll Taxes which was nominated for the Adam Award and won the b425 Award.
Amarbir Singh is a filmmaker with over 20 years’ experience in the Auckland film, television and video-production industry. His aim for his Collective year is to form a group seeking to explore the Dogme 95 style of filmmaking.
Sonya Wilson is a journalist, TV presenter (One News, 20/20, Sunday and Q + A) and award-winning children's author. She plans to run writing courses at The Nix as part of her OC year.
