Alex Monteith

Born Béal Feirste Belfast, Na Sé Chontae Northern Ireland;
Lives at Te Piha, Aotearoa New Zealand.

 Alex Monteith is a multi-disciplinary artist, filmmaker, and Associate Professor at University of Aukland, whose practice intersects environmental activism, oceanic geographies, and contemporary art. Born in Éire/Ireland during the Na Trioblóidí (the troubles) she migrated to Aotearoa/New Zealand in the ‘80’s with family.  A former Irish National Women's Surfing Champion (2001), she draws on her intimate knowledge of marine environments to create large-scale artistic interventions addressing colonial impacts on ocean ecologies in Aotearoa and internationally.

‘The MMK presented the three-channel video installation Composition with RNZAF 3 Squadron Exercise Blackbird. This large-scale installation conveys a very real sense of being in a helicopter and flying thunderously over the snow-covered alpine landscape of New Zealand’s South Island. On three helicopters forming a squadron, the artist mounted cameras pointing backwards. The three projections initially differ from one another slightly, creating a sense of disconcertion in the viewer. Above the deafening sound of the helicopters, the voices of the pilots communicating by radio can be heard, making the scenes reminiscent of a military campaign.

Alex Monteith's films mirror the liberties enjoyed by modern society while also drawing attention to the limitations of human action in coming to terms with geographic, environmental or territorial situations and conflicts.’
Alex Monteith - MMK (2012)