Creative Arts and Industries

Fine Arts students and graduates

Postgraduate students at Elam range from graduates looking to enhance their skills to creative practitioners keen to pursue research, advance their careers or explore new avenues of artistic endeavour. Here, a few current students share their experiences.

Tim Wagg

“I decided to study fine arts at Elam because the School has the best reputation and was recommended by people I respected. Elam takes a strong academic attitude to art-making, which pushes your thought processes and understanding of art. You are around talented and creative people making good and interesting work.

“It was really helpful to have access to professional equipment and computer programs, as well as the amazing range of specialty publications in the Elam and General libraries.

“Through my studies I developed a deeper understanding and confidence in my own art practice. I became a member of the Window gallery’s curatorial team and recently began working part-time at the Gus Fisher Gallery. I now feel ready to start exhibiting my own work as well as curating exhibitions outside the University.”

Tim Wagg graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (BFA(Hons).

Roman Mitch

“The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme is largely self-directed. This was quite important for me because I have already sustained an art practice for some time. One of the main benefits of studying at Elam is the generosity of the staff and other students. You just don’t get people ready to dedicate so much time and thought to your work anywhere else.

“I’ve also had the opportunity to tutor first-year students while completing my MFA. This combination has been really good because I’ve been forced to unpack things at multiple levels. It’s interesting because I feel that I am learning nearly as much from teaching as I do in the MFA programme. I think this is because I’m trying to use the masters programme to find ways of speaking about and making art that are as precise and simple as possible.”

Roman Mitch recently graduated with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA).

Jessica Pearless

Having completed her BFA here nearly a decade ago, Jessica Pearless returned to Elam School of Fine Arts to study for a Master of Fine Arts, graduating in 2010. In between, she worked in the commercial world of fine art in New Zealand, auctioneering and fundraising for public art programmes affected by the Christchurch earthquakes. Currently she is focused on making and exhibiting her own art, and is also working as the inaugural artist in residence at Artists Alliance in Ponsonby, Auckland.

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 Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA).

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