Contemporary New Zealand art will be represented at the 2003 Venice Biennale by artist Michael Stevenson, marking only the second time the island nation has contributed to the event. Described as one of the country's most successful artists working in the international arts arena, Stevenson recently represented New Zealand at the 2002 Biennale of Sydney. He has participated in artist residencies in New York and Berlin, and was a finalist in both the 1997 Seppelt Contemporary Art Award and the 2002 Walters Prize. Arts development agency Creative New Zealand has been working in partnership with the City Gallery of Wellington to present a show at the Venice event, and Gallery Director Paula Savage noted that Stevenson is 'one of our sharpest and most internationally visible artists.' Savage remarked that Stevenson's works 'excavate' aspects of recent art and social histories, uncovering or proposing bizarre connections. 'At the Sydney Biennale, his immaculately researched installation addressing the role of contemporary art in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis was mind-blowing.' 'The 2003 Venice Biennale is focussing on work that explores its artistic, historical and social contexts, and Michael’s work fits perfectly. Right artist, right time,' she continued. Chief Executive of Creative NZ, Elizabeth Kerr, commented that New Zealand visual artists had been calling for representation at the biennale since the 1970s. Her organisation, she said, received overwhelming endorsement from the sector when it decided to support New Zealand’s inaugural presence at the 2001 event. Stevenson, who was overjoyed at being selected, has affirmed that the biennale provides an important forum for contemporary art. His participation in the event, he said, will mark the most public moment in his career.