End-of-Year Exhibition Award Winners Showcase Innovative Works
Friday, 28 Nov 2025
After three years of dedicated study, Bachelor of Creative Industries graduands have displayed their final projects at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology’s end-of-year creative showcase, Departure Lounge. Presented at Te Ara o Mauao Gallery on campus in Tauranga, the exhibition featured work across visual arts, fashion design and graphic design.
Academic Leader Nicol Sanders-O’Shea said, “This exhibition presents the strongest collective conceptual approach we have seen so far by each individual artist and designer across the different disciplines. The level of professionalism and technical skill was highlighted by our industry guests.”
Industry sponsored awards were presented on the night and selected by independent judges from within the creative industries.
Friends of Tauranga Art Gallery Emerging Artist Award: Wren Byrne
Wren Byrne, received the Friends of Tauranga Art Gallery Emerging Artist Award for her installation, Mother’s Child. Wren’s work explores how personal experience shapes identity, including the tension between autonomy and the environment.
Constructed from large latex sheets to resemble human skin, Mother’s Child, depicts the physical and emotional pressures that shape an individual.
Judges, Joy Gillon and Bobbi Summers from Friends of Tauranga Art Gallery Trust, described Wren’s work as a “well-researched and very moving examination of one’s self, and the effect that the environment can have." They praised Wren’s experimental use of materials as well as the emotional resonance of the work, which created a powerful sense of discomfort and introspection.
Looking ahead to 2026, Wren plans to pursue post-graduate study in either teaching or fine arts.
Alf Rendell Photography Scholarship: Andrea Finlay
Andrea Finlay was the recipient of the Alf Rendell Photography Scholarship, which recognises emerging talent in photography. The Legacy Trust set up with scholarship in 2016 from the success of Alf Rendell’s book of historic photographs of Tauranga.
Judged by Louisa Afoa (Nofoali'i, Pākeha), she says “Andrea's landscape photography is rich in showcasing her knowledge of photography through her use of light, texture and leading lines. As well as having strong technical skills, the photographs feel considered with elements used purposefully to create images that reel the viewer in. While looking through Andrea's portfolio it was clear that she is on her way to establishing a style and approach to image making that reflect her interests as a photographer and designer.”
Emerging Graphic Design Industry Award: Ruby Neverman
Ruby Neverman received the Emerging Graphic Design Industry for her immersive spatial design project, called Interconnection. Using projection mapping, sound, light, and tactile materials, Ruby created a multi-sensory environment depicting cycles of growth, decay, and digital evolution.
Award judge, Kale Print Brand Manager Tessa Lawrence, noted the conceptual depth of Ruby’s work, as well as her technical execution.
“Ruby’s submission distinguished itself through exceptional precision and execution, combined with a deliberate and sophisticated choice of materials and mediums to deliver a fully immersive sensory experience,” she said.
Ruby has already secured a local graphic design role, ahead of graduating. “I’ve grown so much in my practice over the past three years at Toi Ohomai,” Ruby says. “I’ll like to build my graphic design experience in New Zealand, before travelling and working in graphic design overseas.”
Supreme Fashion Designer Award: Jessie Britton
Jessie Britton was awarded the Supreme Fashion Designer Award, sponsored by Textiles Alive, for her innovative five-piece modular fashion collection. Designed with sustainability and versatility in mind, the garments have ladders, zips and buttons, allowing them to be reconfigured to create multiple looks from existing pieces.
“It’s the clothing equivalent of Lego,” Jessie says. “Pieces can be removed from one item and added to another to create a variety of looks. It took a lot of thinking to create the series. All items are reversible as well, extending the module wardrobe further.”
Award judges, Teresa Hodges from Blak Clothing and Lulu Jackson from Molly Perkinson and Lulu Jackson Bridal, were impressed by Jessie’s forward-thinking approach to fashion design. “Jessie took the brief to the next level, not only designing and creating a clothing collection but designing a whole new concept around making clothing,” Lulu said.
Recently Jessie has been awarded a paid Summer Research Scholarship through Toi Ohomai. She will engage with Tauranga Arts Industry and stakeholders to scope an exhibition operating model to support a sustainable and accessible regional campus gallery.