Ed Ritchie: Century fire
Invisible infrastructure, hot roads, repellents and rain are just some of the themes present in ‘Century fire’.
Century fire – research image, courtesy of the artist
05.04.25
25.05.25
Focusing on the material properties of repellent Century fire explores the dichotomy between repellent and absorption, extraction and infusion and the important role these processes play in environmental balance as a whole.
Each work lays traces of local industry, new and old infrastructures and the simultaneity of their building/destroying amongst delicate ecosystems.
Insinuating different modes of environmental analysis (rain gauges, temperature gauges, acid tests, traps) the works operate as microcosms standing in a space of perpetual stalling; an indecisive landscape of amalgamated industries, building themselves around their own fragilities and shortcomings.
'Firecomb 3' Pine, match heads, varnish, seed head 300mm x 230mm 2025 Photo credit Owen Spargo
'Low temp' Copper, match heads 245mm x 300mm 2025 Photo credit Owen Spargo
'Safe distance 3' Copper 455mm x 415mm 2025 Photo Credit Owen Spargo
'Staller 4 - detail' Wax, plastic, plaster, wire, rubber, dye, matches Dimensions variable 2025 Photo Credit Owen Spargo
'Dry Snow 2' Found image, match heads 140mm x 120mm 2025 Photo credit Owen Spargo
'Century fire' - Installation view Photo credit Owen Spargo
'Staller 3' Wax, plastic, aluminium, dirt, gravel, concrete, pine Dimensions variable 2025 Photo credit Owen Spargo
'26 degrees 1' Burl wood, citronella, pine 1090mm x 710mm 2025 detail Photo credit Owen Spargo
Firecomb 4 Pine, match heads, ash, varnish, wire, seed head 300mm x 230mm 2025 Firecomb 3 Pine, match heads, varnish, seed head 300mm x 230mm 2025 Photo credit Owen Spargo
Ed Ritchie
Ed Ritchie is an Artist based in Ōtepoti. He completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons) in 2017 through the Dunedin School of Art and has since become a founder and co-facilitator of ARI Favour. Recent exhibitions include:
Soda Ash, Blue Oyster Art Project Space (2023);
Central heating, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Ōtepoti (2021);
heat transfers, Blue Oyster Art Project Space (2021);
Lay in Measures, Enjoy Contemporary, Wellington (2021);
Hush Swarms, Hot lunch, Ōtautahi Christchurch (2020);
Console Whispers, Blue Oyster Art Project Space, Ōtepoti (2019).
Exhibition details
Click here to view exhibition floor sheet.