Meet our students and graduates

Michelle Ng

Michelle is an Elam graduate based in New York, where she has built a successful business and gained wide recognition for her distinctive jewellery and couture headpiece collections. Her work has been featured on several top fashion websites including style.com, refinery29.com, fashionwindows.com and ladylux.com.

"At Elam, they taught you concept, showed you passion. There were no boundaries, no limits. I went in with an empty mind and came out with an open mind. I was then able to apply this way of thinking to my current work. Without it, I would not be able to expand my limits to produce what is currently in demand in my industry. "

Visit Young and Ng website
 

 

Hongi Luo

“I always knew that I wanted study at Elam. I like being able to try my hand in every discipline of fine arts and to not be limited to just one medium. I have learnt about many different technical fields and being able to use the world class facilities here has resulted in a broadening of my art practice.

“Elam is an amazing environment to study in, not only because of the resources, but also because of the dedicated and renowned staff. I have found it to be a supportive community of students and teachers.”

Hongi Luo is in her third year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

Emil Dryburgh

“Elam offered me a community of like minded individuals, collectively pursuing a successful independent art practice. The quality of the students at Elam paired with the experience and guidance of the lecturers is what makes the
school such a rich environment to produce and discuss art.

“Elam’s emphasis on group critique as a primary means of learning has taught me the possibilities of learning as a collective of individuals. The continuing dialogues I share with the students and teachers of Elam spur on my desire to generate art and consider my own contribution to contemporary art.”

Emil Dryburgh is currently in his third year of a conjoint degree studying Fine Arts and Arts (BA/BFA).
 

Alvie McKree

“I chose to study Fine Arts at Elam because above all else I wanted to learn the critical approach to making and viewing that contemporary art requires.  Elam has encouraged me towards a reflective, critical practice.  What that means is not just making art for the sake of making but with an awareness of where your work stands in regard to whatever else is being done in the world at this time.”

Alvie McKree is currently in her BFA (Hons) year of a conjoint degree – Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours).

André Sampson

“I chose to study at Elam because I wanted a degree from an internationally recognised university, and because this art school has a record of producing artists of the highest calibre across a range of styles. At Elam you are only limited by your ideas.

“I’m really enjoying being surrounded by creative minds, engaging in critical discussions, developing ideas and coming up with creative solutions. I have regained confidence in my ability as an artist, and would like to begin exhibiting regularly again after graduation. Other possibilities for the future include gallery, teaching, or advisory roles.”

André Sampson is currently studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (BFA(Hons)).

Zac Langdon-Pole

"I chose to study Fine Arts at Elam to develop my artistic practice. The opportunity to meet and engage with people to explore the world of art has been invaluable. Elam offers an open learning structure that allows for a lot of creative movement, and it has also challenged me to work through a position within art. The staff are excellent – coming from diverse backgrounds, they offer in-depth knowledge, skills and experiences."

Zac Langdon-Pole recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (BFA(Hons)).

Mei Cooper

“I chose to study Fine Arts at Elam as I enjoyed studying art at high school and I wasn’t sure what I would do if I wasn’t doing something creative.

Elam is teaching me how to make art within a contemporary context, to think critically and to communicate clearly. When I graduate I plan to work as a practising artist, both in New Zealand and internationally. I would also like to go on to postgraduate study and gain a Master of Fine Arts at some point.”

Mei Cooper is currently studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (BFA(Hons)).

Ben Clement

"I chose to study fine arts at a tertiary level to deepen my understanding of differing perspectives of how one can see the world, and how these views can be re-presented in an artistic context. Studying at Elam provides a positive and challenging framework  to problem solve and articulate these particular views."

Ben Clement is currently studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (BFA(Hons)).

 

Seung Yul Oh

Seung Yul is filmed with a pair of his Oddooki Children under the glass dome at Gus Fisher Gallery. Inspired by children's weighted toys that always right themselves, these bright ornithological pieces effortlessly straddle the commonly separated realms of enticing interactive toy and high art sculpture.

After graduating from Elam School of Fine Arts in 2006, Seung Yul quickly gained a profile as a multi-disciplined artist with his painting, drawing, sculpture, sound and video. He has exhibited at Starkwhite Gallery, Auckland, the Auckland Art Gallery, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery (New Plymouth), the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and The NewDowse.

Toby Raine

"The most enjoyable part of studying at Elam has been the opportunity to be taught by, and develop relationships with, some of New Zealand's most respected artists...The knowledge I've gained keeps me excited about my work and unafraid to step outside my comfort zone."

Toby Raine is currently studying for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA).

Oleg Polounine

“I have been interested in making art since childhood, and through school it naturally developed as a career choice. After high school, Elam School of Fine Arts was the obvious place to apply to, due to its international reputation, and also The University of Auckland offered a much wider range of other courses.

“I enjoy being around professional people who are passionate about fine arts…. I have learned many skills like: making frames, stretching canvas, stretching paper, making paper, paper maché, working in encaustic, casting in plaster, using pneumatic tools, sculpting in wood, and using various woodworking and other machinery. However, the most vital and universal skill that I have learned is to be able to talk critically about my own and others’ work.”

Oleg Polounine is currently studying for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
 

Clint Watkins

“Elam School of Fine Arts at The University of Auckland provides a rich and resourceful environment for artistic research, development and practice. Studying in this environment gives me the opportunity to engage with a wide range of artists. Elam offers state-of-the-art training, facilities and studios for the creation and production of high quality artwork.

“As a DocFA candidate I was awarded a Doctoral Scholarship from The University of Auckland, which provides me with valuable financial support for full-time artistic practice and research.

“This year I have embarked upon a large body of work, some of which has been exhibited locally and internationally. I have performed sound work at a variety of festivals and sound art events, and have had my sound compositions released on an independent European record label. My current projects include sound composition, sonic objects/sculpture, video loop installation and pure tone video distortion series.”

Clint Watkins has recently completed a Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA).

Rangituhia Hollis

“Initially I chose to study at Elam because it is relatively close to home, as well as the people and the content that has informed my practice. I also wanted to push my research into virtual mediums such as animation and video games beyond the obvious or arbitrary conclusions.

“While studying Fine Arts at Elam I received a scholarship to attend the Cityscapers Studio held at Edinburgh University, where the collaborative project I developed along with two Australian architecture students was awarded the overall prize. I also participated in a New Artists exhibition entitled ‘Architecture for the Nation’ at Artspace, Auckland. And in 2009 I was fortunate to receive a University of Auckland Graduate Scholarship, which has made it much easier to continue my studies."

Rangituhia Hollis graduated with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in 2010.