Poetic Synthesis 2025

Photosynthesis and the Canterbury Poets’ Collective are combining the strengths of our communities by pairing photographers and poets to make novel complementary work.

Whether a poem told in stills, a poetic response to a photo or a set, or a photographic response to a line or phrase, this exciting new synthesis of image and word will light-up your imagination and open your heart.

Registration | 7 July - 1 August 2025

Sign up as a photographer or poet to be matched at the pairing event. Preference given to first registered. 16 selected artists + 4 reserves for each discipline.

Pairing Event for Poet and Photographer | Photosynthesis Studio // 7:30-9pm, 4 August 2025

This will be a fun evening with drinks and nibbles to introduce the event and pair the registered poets and photographers. The pairing will be random, and the new pairs will have the opportunity to share their work and initiate planning for a new creation. Photographs of the artists will be taken for social media. Bring devices to share examples of your work with your new co-creator.

Create work | 5 August 2025 - 31 October 2025

Work with your artistic peer to create complementary work. New work is encouraged but not enforced.

Showcase Evening | Little Andromeda // November 2025

The inaugural presentation of the 16 new poet–photographer artworks will be held at this special event in Ōtautahi. This will be a ticketed event open to the public. Each pair can include as many 16x9 slides within a maximum of 5 minutes, any formatting.