Century fire

Invisible infrastructure, hot roads, repellents and rain are just some of the themes present in 'Century fire'.

   

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.

 

 

 

The Artist

  • Ed Ritchie
    Ed Ritchie
    Ōtepoti

    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)

    Instagram
Ed Ritchie
Ōtepoti

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)

View artwork
Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Firecomb 3, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

Firecomb 3 


Pine, match heads, varnish, seed  head 
300mm x 230mm 
2025


Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Low temp, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

Low temp 
Copper, match heads 
245mm x 300mm 


2025


Photo credit Owen Spargo


 

Photo Credit Owen Spargo

Photo Credit Owen Spargo

Safe Distance 3, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

Safe distance 3 
Copper 
455mm x 415mm 
2025


Photo Credit Owen Spargo


 

Photo Credit Owen Spargo

Photo Credit Owen Spargo

Staller 4 - detail, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

Staller 4 


Wax, plastic, plaster, wire, rubber, dye, matches 
Dimensions variable
2025


Photo Credit Owen Spargo


 

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Century Fire - Installation view, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

26 degrees 1 


Burl wood, citronella, pine 
1090mm x 710mm 
2025 



26 degrees 2 


Burl wood, citronella, pine 
1090mm x 710mm 
2025 


Staller 1 


Wax, plastic, aluminium, charcoal, rubber, plaster, dye, matches 
Dimensions variable 
2025 


Photo credit Owen Spargo


 


 

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Dry Snow 2, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

Dry snow 2 


Found image, match heads 
140mm x 120mm 


2025


Photo credit Owen Spargo


 

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Staller 3, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

Staller 3 


Wax, plastic, aluminium, dirt, gravel, concrete, pine 
Dimensions variable 
2025 


Photo credit Owen Spargo


 

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

26 degrees 1 - detail, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

26 degrees 1 


Burl wood, citronella, pine 
1090mm x 710mm 
2025 


detail


Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Photo credit Owen Spargo

Century Fire - Installation View, Ed Ritchie
More about this artwork

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