Blog Archives

Thomas Slade - 21 April-15 May, 2017

8/4/2017

Free event: gallery talk by Thomas Slade, 1pm on Saturday 6th May.

What Brings You Here? A Tale Of Two Towns

'What Brings You Here?' is a comparative study that examines both the positive and negative changes in rural New Zealand. Why does one town decline while another prospers? Using photography, statistics and interviews this body of work explores differences and consequences of change for these two towns. Since the closure of the Iron Ore Mines Waverley has felt the increased effects of a diminishing population, lack of services and low house prices. Ten years ago Shannon was in a similar position, it is now known for rejuvenation through active town planning and boutique shopping. These images of rural New Zealand highlight change. They remind us where we have come from as a country and of our identity as New Zealanders.

Translating A Silent Language

Working with photography to alter our perception of time, this project examines social interaction in a city environment. I have adopted the unobtrusive role of the flaneur and observed how social norms orchestrate social behaviour in public spaces. I chose to use constructed photography and I selected and recreated observed moments. I made images that I hope come alive within the expanded time of a still photograph. Through these reconstructions of observed behaviour I set out to question the capacity of photography to amplify reality and demonstrate how a fictional image might reach closer to a lived experience. I focused on overlooked moments to produce an expansion of time that allows the viewer to question the ordinary values that shape social behaviours in the everyday, providing an opportunity to recognise the complexity of a lived experience as part of everyday actions.

Artist info

Thomas Slade, b.1982, grew up in Nelson. While living in British Columbia, Canada, (2005-2010) he became interested in photography and returned to New Zealand to study formally. He will receive his Master's degree from Massey University in May this year. This first exhibition outside the campus - see Wellingtonian article below.