Bilders / - Neverlasting
Bill Direen recognized with prize
Direen has won the Joanna Hickman, Waiwetu Trust Award for his work in music and literature.
His music, poetry, novels and theatre works have seen him tour New Zealand and the world, with his "restless, humouress and grave" voice which push the boundaries of sound and word.
The judging panel said Direen had "produced a mountain of work in various forms, always accessible despite an uneasing poetic depth".
"His practice embodies a bone-deep commitment to collaboration and exploration, making him one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most enduring and original cultural figures."
He told the audience that his work wouldn't be possible without other people.
"This is for me, my partner of 30 years, the poets I've argued with, small audiences, publishers who stuck with me, people who worked on a shoestring to make work, writers who wrote critiques that made me think."
Video available here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-new...
