Changing direction by degrees

Changing direction by degrees

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Many people dream of changing their life's direction, but few actually do. An exception is student John Mead who has swapped his life caring for and treating animals, for the life of an artist.

John, who is currently undertaking postgraduate study at Elam School of Fine Arts, used to be the local Herne Bay vet, but a life-changing decision saw him give up his 25-year career to pursue his love of fine art photography.

And although he is older than many of his fellow students, the Grey Lynn resident feels being mature definitely has some advantages. “I know what I want to achieve and financially I’ve been able to devote my time completely to my study, which is a luxury” he says. “I’m also extremely lucky to have the support of my family”.

John’s dad was a keen photographer who had a darkroom at home, so he was surrounded by image making as a child. “I’ve been passionate about photography my whole life so I knew I had to stretch myself and pursue it” he says.

He is busy preparing for his final-year show to complete his Postgraduate Diploma of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland. John says the teaching and critique are fantastic at Elam and challenge him to extend himself artistically. His work focuses on the place of beauty in contemporary art and he employs traditional photographic methods, using a 4x5 film camera, before hand printing and toning. “There is a huge upsurge in the traditional craft of photography and although it is labour intensive, the results really speak for themselves”, he says.

His future plans include undertaking a Masters of Fine Arts at Elam. John’s hand printed, selenium-toned fine art prints are on display later this month at the Elam School of Fine Arts Graduate Show at the University of Auckland.

Elam Graduate Show 2013
Elam School of Fine Arts
The University of Auckland
10am-5pm
30 November-1 December
20 Whitaker Place; 5 Symonds St (Elam B);
25a Princes St (George Fraser Gallery).

The University of Auckland’s National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries comprises the Elam School of Fine Arts, School of Architecture and Planning, the Centre for Art Studies, the School of Music and the Dance Studies Programme.

ENDS

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