Tauranga artist nominated for prestigious award

Tauranga-based artist Darcell Apelu's nominated work Generation Exchange retraces the steps of her ancestors. Photo / Supplied

A Tauranga-based artist has been nominated for the prestigious International Award for Public Art.

Darcell Apelu's nominated work Generation Exchange retraces the steps of her ancestors in Auckland and Patea.

The 27-year-old is of Niuean and New Zealand European descent and was raised in Mount Maunganui.

Her practice is informed by her experiences as an afakasi female and she uses her body as a way to facilitate terms of otherness.

She works in mediums such as moving image, sound, performance and installation.

The International Award for Public Art acknowledges specific public art projects of the highest achievement with a focus on art-led urbanism, place-making, community building and social practice.

Apelu said she was grateful for the nomination and humbled to be nominated alongside other senior New Zealand artists on the world stage.

"With Generation Exchange, the process of the work and sharing with the public that came along was really rewarding."