Gold : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

This exegesis critically examines the social, cultural, and political implications of my photographic portraiture practice and artistic development during my MFA study. It focuses on ongoing collaborations with Raymond McMahon, Tamatha Paul, and Ming Ranginui, exploring how these relationships have influenced my practice. I am driven by a commitment to engage with individuals, their environments, and communities in a human-to-human manner, seeking to better understand their experiences and, in turn, my own. Multiple dynamics will be analysed to support a discourse centring around empathetic modes of photography, collaboration, representation, and storytelling. I also investigate how these relationships and my photographic process actively engage with the wider community. I engage in self-reflection, delving into the complexities of connecting with my collaborators and understanding their realities. An important aspect of this exploration is recognising the significance of being invited into someone's life and the weight of responsibility that comes with portraying their reality in the works I create through maintaining their dignity throughout this process of exposure. I examine artists and movements with relevance to my practice, specifically including artists who emphasise the role of better collaborative and portraiture practices.