Formerly based in Christchurch, Scott Flanagan is an artist now living in Port Chalmers. His practice sits outside the mainstream, often imbued with political commentary and created using labour-intensive methods. His sculptural works tend to demand audience participation, like in the case of his large canvas crosswords with clues and pencils provided, or his work Ach Bog! for SCAPE Public Art Season 2022, installed in a thoroughfare to encourage maximum public engagement.

Always rigorously conceptual and driven by idea, Scott’s work carries layers of meaning for the viewer to unpack, drawing attention to visual and philosophical conundrums. Through his practice, he critiques the idea of true individuality in a society, the absurdity of political posturing, and questions the certainty of what we think we know.

Scott describes himself as a self-taught artist with a professional capacity to breathe. He has exhibited regularly throughout New Zealand since 1996, with major commissions and exhibitions at The Suter Gallery, Nelson, the Centre of Contemporary Art, Christchurch, and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetū. In 2010 he undertook the 6th International Artist in Residence at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea. He has also been part of group exhibitions in Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Due to severe health concerns, Scott’s practice has moved to drawing for the last six years.