Oliver and Jacqueline Fahey’s cat, Alvin.
Oliver Dawe is one of the resident creatives in Toi Auaha. We caught up with him to check out what he’s up to in the Toi Auaha studios this year.
How would you describe what you do?
I make films.
What was your most recent project?
Prickly Mountain and My Design Build Life – a feature documentary about a crazy architectural movement in Vermont, USA, that I co-produced, co-wrote and edited.
What will you be doing in your Toi Auaha Studio?
Editing a web series, editing a series of artist docs, writing scripts, editing scripted shorts, developing two feature film. Eeeep, that’s a lot of stuff – pray for me plz.
What project have you worked on that you’re most proud of?
I Know I’m Going to Paint – short documentary on Philip Trusttum.
What is essential for creatives to have in their lives?
Time.
What inspires you about Ōtautahi?
The people, the landscape, the independent shops.
What piece of advice about your creative work has served you well?
Is it true? Is it interesting?
What’s the biggest misconception about your creative work?
Not sure I’m well known enough to have this problem.
What Christchurch artists do you most admire?
Aldous Harding, Sports Team, Priscilla Rose Howe, Philip Trusttum, Jason Greig, Marlon Williams.
What artwork/piece of music/performance has taken your breath away?
I’m basically devouring stuff at all times that has this effect on me. Samia’s performance of Pool on Tiny Desk is doing it for me lately. I love sad girl music. Oh, I also recently discovered Karen Dalton. Drinking Age by Cameron Winter. Fado Portugues by Amalia Rodrigues.
In terms of films, I recently saw 3 Women for the first time and holy shit, Shelly Duvall is incredible. Obsessed with that movie and with Shelly. I’ve also been running through the Czechoslovak New Wave lately. Incredible films and poster art. The Cremator and Loves of a Blonde were both amazing.
What do you wish you’d have known about creative work when you were younger?
I think I had a better handle on it when I was a kid than I do now to be honest. I tend to overthink.
What’s your favourite hidden secret in Ōtautahi?
Dead Video.