Alyx Duncan, Michele Powles, Luka Turjak
The Sea Inside Her
29 November - 7 December
Join us at Artor Contemporary on Friday, 29th November for a special evening exploring the delicate balance of self-control and our connection to nature. Featuring paintings, poetry, and a short film, this immersive experience reflects on how nature shapes us and how we, in turn, shape it—while questioning the boundaries we perceive between ourselves and the natural world.
With contemporary dancer Kilda Northcott, this concept was brought to life by Pākehā artist and filmmaker Alyx Duncan and writer Michele Powles, in collaboration with editor Luka Turjak.
The Sea Inside Her premiered on August 11th at the New Zealand International Film Festival, also featuring at the Pah Homestead with Art House Trust and Project 100 in Nelson. It now arrives at Artor Contemporary, with a special screening on Friday, November 29th, at 7.30pm.
Kilda and the Elephant Seal, 2024
Mixed media on canvas
615mm x 615mm framed 
Alyx Duncan (Pākehā, settler Australian) is an artist and filmmaker, and choreographer whose work navigates the rich intersection of movement, cinema and painting. Her portfolio is a testament to her versatility, including a critically acclaimed feature film, multiple award-winning documentary and fiction shorts, and significant contributions to dance and theatre. In addition to her directorial achievements, Duncan’s artistry extends to choreography for international productions such as Minecraft, The Luminaries and Cowboy Beebop.
Alyx was a recipient of the prestigious New Zealand Film Commission Gaylene Preston Female Directors’ Award and SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association) New Filmmaker of the Year Award.
Her film, short poetic portrait of her father The Tide Keeper, earned accolades on a global scale and screened in over twenty five film festivals including Busan, Melbourne, Slamdance, Annecy and winning awards FIPRESCI Film Critics’ Choice Award at Vladivostok, Best Short Animation at Warsaw, Best International short at Whistler, Best Film at NZIFF, Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography at Show Me Shorts. The film is also a Vimeo Staff Pick with over 40k views. Her hybrid feature The Red House resonated with audiences and received critical acclaim in New Zealand and abroad. Most recently her collaborative project The Sea Inside Her, a conversation between painting, poetry and film had a duel premiere as part of NZIFF and an exhibition at The Art House Trust. It’s now this touring exhibition that that presently resides as Artor Contemporary.
Installation view: Alyx Duncan, L. Korora and Heat Pump, R. Kilda and the SeaArtor Contemporary 2024