SEABA Artist Residency Winner!

It is our honor to announce the SEABA x Unsworth Artist Residency winner for the 2024-25 year as Nicolei Gupit!

Nicolei is a multidisciplinary artist exploring the Filipino diaspora, working across a wide range of media and installation art. Most recently enjoying working with paper clay. Nicolei explains that, “Paper clay is a mixture of paper fiber and clay. I use both paper pulp and paper clay as casting materials for my handmade silicone molds. I am drawn to paper clay because it is extremely versatile. I can sculpt with it, draw or paint on it, or embed things inside it, and it dries without having to use a kiln.”

“Specifically, I intend to develop a papermaking and archival installation art project that considers the symbiotic relationship between plants and humans through our changing labels of “invasive” and “native” plant species. The location near Lake Champlain would offer a unique opportunity to work intimately among the plant life and natural surroundings for inspiration.”

The SEABA Artist residency allows one artist the use of a large industrial studio in the heart of the South End Arts District at no charge for one full year, culminating with an exhibition at Art Hop. Misoo Bang (right) showcased a series of incredibly detailed and bright works at Art Hop that each took approximately 1 month to create. Read about Misoo’s work in a highlight article by Alice Dodge in the SevenDays Art Hop program.

As many artists can relate, Nicolei states, “The spacious studio will provide a rare and valuable opportunity for me to work in large formats that will not otherwise be possible at this moment. Because I primarily work in installation art, the space will give me permission to imagine larger. Likewise, the space will invite me to produce monumental works without having to scale down to accommodate a limited space. In addition…the studio at The Vaults will also provide a critical opportunity for me to work outside my home, which will foster a healthy relationship between my studio practice and life outside of my studio practice.”

Congratulations Nicolei! We look forward to welcoming you in October.