Our second showcased artist and notorious Christchurch art enabler, is Gaby Montejo. Cuban born, Gaby has been enriching the Christchurch arts scene with his engaging, energetic and often irreverent sculptural and performance works since moving here in 2006. Working with organisations such as Life in Vacant Spaces and Gap Filler, Gaby continues to be an integral part of keeping the arts alive and flourishing through his involvement in numerous transitional projects in the city.

Through A Place to Build Art Projects, Gaby runs the Christchurch Social Street Residency, inviting artists from around New Zealand and the world to take up a unique caravan residency in various locations in the CBD. Currently hosting its 8th resident, this unassuming vintage caravan offers an inside perspective to the transitional nature of our city to 'outsiders' and invites fresh glimpses and understandings to locals and visitors alike.

Alongside Lucy Matthews, Gaby initiated the fluid and inclusive arts collective - The Social in 2012. Two summers in a row, The Social saw a series of site specific installations, interactive artworks and performances take place in and around Re:Start and various vacant sites in the CBD. For more information on these visit http://chchsocial.tumblr.com/.

Gaby's creative practice is one where human relations often play an essential role. This philosophy means that a piece of art should have its origins in a sort-of friendly trust, and perhaps needs people to trigger things to happen - making for a sculpture of the active kind; alive and real.

For First Thursdays, Gaby is putting on an event entitled Mothers beginning 6:30pm sharp at the Honey Pot Café on Colombo St. This will NOT be a performance; it is more of a presentation, or celebration of sorts. It will be an event not to miss, so be on time and dress snappy!