Fine Arts students

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)).