In July 2022, as part of the implementation of Toi Ōtautahi, the Christchurch City Council’s strategy for arts and creativity, the 4C Centre at the YMCA hosted a series of youth-focused art workshops. Delivered by Watch This Space urban arts trust and Ōtautahi artist Mike Beer AKA Ghostcat, 10 rangatahi worked for two weeks creating scratch-builds with a variety of new and recycled materials.
Scratch-building is a creative process of replicating items using unassuming and accessible materials – making something from scratch. The workshop rangatahi were invited to make a miniature urban scene, inspired in some way by our own city but fueled by imagination. The resulting works are a brilliant mix of detailed productions – some instantly recognisable, others drawn from familiar tropes. From worn walls to tiny objects and intricate flashings, these productions illustrate the incredible talent of our city’s young people, the importance of their creative voice, the value of partnership with organisations like the 4C Centre at the YMCA and Watch This Space, as well as the generosity and expertise of senior artists like Ghostcat.
“Going into the workshop I was a little bit apprehensive as it was a new experience. I could not have been more impressed by the students; not only at the level of skill, but also the enthusiasm that increased throughout each workshop. Building something from nothing helped the students connect more deeply with an idea that meant something to them. From confused looks early on about how their pieces would come together, to the joy at the end of the week as their conceptualised creations became reality was an absolute pleasure to witness. If this is the level of talent from our youth then we have not got much to worry about! I was inspired!” – Ghostcat
Artist: Sophia Gray
Artist: Callum McCombs
Artist: Audrey Royds
Artist: Phineas Harty
Artist: Wendy Zhang
Artist: Tamar Dijkstra
Artist: Lyra Sato
Artist: Pinto
The Exhibition is on display at the Christchurch City Council, Hereford Street from 27 October – 7 November
