Day one of artist Zac Whiteside’s Crucible Artist Residency at Gillies Metaltech Foundry in Ōamaru had more drama than anticipated when his car was stolen.

For an artist whose work explores the rituals of modern life through contradiction, metaphor and wordplay - there’s some irony in facing a different test of mettle on day one.

Now, more than a month into his three-month residency, Zac has a clear vision for his metal casting project, but doesn't want to give too much away.

"There is going to be a performative element, a public event, out by the shore," he says.

“Possibly heavy machinery involved, and a lot of sculptures.”

Zac graduated with a first class honours from Dunedin School of Art in 2023 where he is based.

He is the co-director and curator of Dunedin's Pond Gallery - an artist-run space with a focus on supporting artists early in their careers.

This won’t be the first time his work comprises multiple elements or metalwork.

Among the pieces Zac brought with him are some of his ‘chocolate’ Bit Coins.

Bit Coins by artist Zac Whiteside. Photo: Supplied.

Cast in bronze, with wrappers made of gold plated steel and silver, Zac says the coins and their distinctive bite marks “play off a few different things”.

One of those things is the tradition of biting a coin to see if it was real and another is the emergence of centralised digital currencies and their signatures.

“The bite mark is like the artist’s signature, that’s my dental record”, he says.

“It’s funny because the wrappers are a lot more expensive to make than the coin, which is usually the bit you throw away.”

Close up of one of artist Zac Whiteside's Bit Coins. Photo: Supplied

Another of his works is a sneaker cast in glass collected from Castle Street - one of Dunedin’s famous student party zones.

“It’s my Shoey shoe”, he says miming drinking from it, “so, yeah, it’s pretty grotesque”.

Zac Whiteside's Shoey shoe made from glass collected in Castle Street. Photo: Supplied.

Visual metaphors are a hallmark of Zac’s sculptures, usually juggled around his freelance photography and videography.

He credits the artist residency programme for allowing him to put much of that work on hold and fully concentrate on art-making.

“When you’re practising art within normal life, it really impacts how long things take.

"It's been really cool to have a space and time to dedicate 40 hours a week, especially to a new skill."

The residency’s stipend isn’t the only thing making his project attainable.

“This work has to be made in a foundry - it’s what makes it affordable and makes it feasible”, he says, paying credit to the foundry’s technical staff.

Zac's residency might have begun in one form of drama, but it will end in a different kind - culminating with his shore-side performance on Saturday, 22 November, tied to the Crucible exhibition opening.

"It’ll be playful and all the public are welcome to come and view - from a safe distance."

Read more about the programme and previous residents here - Latest artists announced for Crucible Residency programme.