Self-portrait with chrysalis in a locked garage

Tracey Slaughter is renowned for hard hitting poetry that doesn’t shy away from trauma. Rock’n’roller types lurk in the shadows, folks who act first, think later and apologise seldom.

Self-portrait with chrysalis in a locked garage hints at this, but — with the supportive eye of documentarian Sarah Grohnert — Slaughter has also drawn on her own life to explore west Auckland as a place of in-between spaces, full of barbed wire and filthy puddles, where the lives of the fortunate live just beyond the frame.

Self-portrait with chrysalis in a locked garage is read by actor Donogh Rees

Tracey Slaughter is an award-winning author of short fiction, poetry and personal essays. Her latest book is the collection of short stories Devil's Trumpet (Te Herenga Waka University Press, 2021). Her other books include the novella if there is no shelter (runner up in the Bath Novella-in-Flash Award 2020, published by Ad Hoc Fiction UK), the poetry volume Conventional Weapons (Te Herenga Waka, 2019), and the short fiction collection deleted scenes for lovers (Te Herenga Waka, 2016).

Among numerous literary prizes she has won the international Fish Short Story Prize 2020, the Bridport Short Fiction Award 2014, and two BNZ Katherine Mansfield Awards (in 2004 & 2001). She has also won the Landfall Essay Prize for the memoir Ashdown Place in 2015. Tracey is the founding editor of Mayhem Literary Journal, and is also the current editor of Poetry Aotearoa, New Zealand's longest-running literary journal devoted to poetry.

Sarah Grohnert is a German born, New Zealand based award-winning writer, director, editor and producer. She has over 15 years of international experience in film and television, bringing her strong sense for visual storytelling to the short and long format.

Her debut documentary feature Ever The Land played over 30 international film festivals and won numerous awards. Sarah is passionate about the medium of film as a creative inquiry into the human condition.

Tracey Slaughter (left), Sarah Grohnert (right)

Credits:

Writer: Tracey Slaughter
Producer/Director/Editor: Sarah Grohnert
Cinematographer: Conan Fitzpatrick
Poem read by: Donogh Rees

Commissioned by Going West Writers Festival with the support of Waitākere Ranges Local Board, Auckland Council and Creative New Zealand. Additional support from The Trusts Charitable Foundation, The Trusts, Foundation North and South Pacific Pictures.