Creative ID: 188
Dunedin.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
Multi-disciplinary artist and designer, with a strong interest and passion for the role of critical thinking in education and creativity practice. Trained as a traditional painter I became interested in Digital Painting at postgraduate level in London, earning an Masters degree with distinction. I learned and developed my practice at that time in association with other artists. The result was the evolution of a form of digital painting using mainly text to create paintings on screen, and in print. In recent years, I have been inspired by my undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture to explore my interest in the spatial aspect of Art and design with plants, and how the natural world can inspire Art.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
- Masters Degree with Distinction, Fine Arts, Camberwell College, UAL, London - As/Distinction throughout school and University in Art.
- BA Landscape Architecture, University Central England.
- Specialising for five years as Heritage Landscape Architect, with experience of design and installation of all aspects of landscape/gardening work.
- Exhibited at inaugural World Art Games for New Zealand in Croatia, New Zealand Art Show in Wellington as well as venues and locations in London and Otago.
- Most recently shortlisted for public Ara Toi arts and Te Ao Tūroa Art and Landscape restoration project - Ross Creek Reservoir, Dunedin.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
- Creative parenting experience as the father of two awesome kids (references from them available on request).
- Author of a 5-star reviewed guidance book for distance parents.
- Teacher of high school students, teaching English as a foreign language in Europe.
- Caretaker (part-time) of a Primary School - leading changes in Landscape use and design at the school with initiatives aimed at promoting interest in healthy food and nature.
- Working with the children in morning and afternoon slots, a hands-on session where the children work together to learn how to look after our plants and the ecosystem they support.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I love creating positive experiences for the children at our school and I hope to bring about changes that will increase and improve the children’s experience and understanding of Art, creativity and healthy eating. I hope that the work we achieve at our school will help other schools in the area and maybe other parts of the country. I find it difficult to sustain an Art career and so I also hope the Creatives in Schools programme will enable me to spend more time doing what I love to do.