Meta Balko: Radiant Small
12 November - 13 December 2024
Radiant Small: Curated by Meta Balko
“I chose [to do] the show because I think people should be happy doing art, I think it’s fun to do art, and people should learn how to do art, and people are happy doing artwork.” – Meta Balko (aged 5), Radiant Small Curator
Why is Dunedin Fringe exhibiting Radiant Small?
Meta, the show’s Curator, is Dunedin Fringe Co-Director Ruth Harvey’s “bestest littlest friend”. Meta’s mum and Ruth worked together in Providence, USA. Meta and Ruth are like family. It was Fringe’s idea to exhibit Radiant Small in Ōtepoti, and they plan to send a show of artwork by local tamariki called Tīni Tiny Fringe to Pittsburgh in early 2025.
Where did the idea for the show come from?
Meta unwrapped her first art easel last Christmas and immediately set to work making new art. When her parents asked who she was making work for, she replied "Oh, this is for my art show!" Playing along, her parents said "Oh, cool! Is it just your artwork in this show?" Meta acted like their question was nuts. "No, of course not! It's going to be all the artist kids".
Who are the participating artists?
Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of Radiant Hall studio members, staff and collaborators, and others in caregiving circles with their artists and staff.
What is Radiant Hall?
Radiant Hall empowers artists to sustain thriving studio practices by creating and preserving access to space, shared resources, programmes and a supportive community of peers. They provide affordable access to studio space in three buildings across Pittsburgh, USA.
Why is Radiant Small important?
Dunedin Fringe believes everyone is an artist and we want people to embrace that truth as early as possible in life. Exhibiting Radiant Small and sending Tīni Tiny Fringe to Pittsburgh encourages a community of young artists to celebrate their creativity and artist identity.
Radiant Small was first exhibited at Radiant Hall in July 2024. Meta’s mum, Radiant Hall Director Marina Balko, says: “For the young artists, they got to see their work in a professional setting and take pride in it. They also got a glimpse into the artist profession of their adults.”
Celebrating parent artists
Radiant Small also celebrates parent and caregiving artists. The show acknowledges the difficulty of juggling caregiving with work commitments and an active studio practice, and celebrates the adults who are supporting young people to become artists in their own right.
White Box
About Us
Dunedin Fringe envisions a city ignited by creativity, where all people embrace art, culture and creativity into their daily lives.
We have a mission to provide platforms for creative expression that help nurture communities. We have a special focus on supporting emerging artists, and the development of new and experimental work.
We produce the Dunedin Fringe Festival, Amped Music Project and New Zealand Young Writers Festival annually, curate the White Box Gallery, and manage the performing arts venue Te Whare o Rukutia.
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Our Contacts
Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust
19 George Street,
Dunedin 9016,
Aotearoa New Zealand
03 477 3350