Galerie Langman - Our Photographers

John Fields’ (1938- ) photographs have been exhibited in shows around the Eastern U.S.A (including the prestigious Carl Siembab Gallery in Boston). He was active in the creative photographic group PhotoForum, and is a former president of the group.

Fields was among the first the New Zealand recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council grant for photography, in 1975, of the goldfield town of Thames, New Zealand. He is co-author of the book Victorian Auckland (1973) with noted historian and architect, John Stacpoole. Fields also directed Victorian Auckland (1973) a film screened on TV. He produced the publication, A Visual Dialect (1971), illustrating the work of ten New Zealand photographers. In 1971 a NZ record for photography was set when $100 was paid for one of his photographs. Aside from regular exhibitions in Auckland with PhotoForum, his work was exhibited in the most important exhibition of NZ photography at the time, The Active Eye: Contemporary New Zealand Photography, (Manawatu Art Gallery) which toured to 12 venues throughout NZ from 1975 to 1976. Galerie Langman showed his work in 1998; many works entering into Te Papa’s collection at that time, as well as Sarjeant Gallery Wanganui. Te Papa further bolstered its holdings of his work with the acquisition of 12 additional photographs in 2006.

Fields was both highly regarded and influential during the time his work flourished in New Zealand between 1966-1976. His photographs are used by the University of Auckland Elam School of Fine Arts to instruct students in photography. These vintage photographs, although made between 33-40 years ago are very fresh due to the exceptionally high standards that Fields employed. In most cases the number of photographs made from each negative is in the single figures and less than half a dozen. This makes them beautiful, affordable but valuable. His Bed, Union Street will be illustrated in a forthcoming collection publication by Te Papa Press (2007). Fields work will be the subject of a touring retrospective currently in preparation by the New Zealand Centre for Photography.

His work is held in private collections throughout New Zealand, Australia and USA; the principal holdings are in the Auckland Art Gallery (the plates from Victorian Auckland, 140 works) and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (around 25 works) and Sarjeant Gallery, Wanganui.

Athol McCredie, Curator of Photographs, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, notes.

… For example, over the last two or three years we’ve strengthened our holdings of Gary Baigent, Richard Collins and John Fields, seminal photographers of the late 60s-early 70s. Interview, May 2007.

In semi-retirement, Fields has exhibited photographic works in New Zealand, and taught and lectured at tertiary level.

These vintage photographs, although made between 33-40 years ago are very fresh due to the exceptionally high standards that Fields employed. In most cases the number of photographs made from each negative is in the single figures and less than half a dozen. This makes them both beautiful and valuable, but affordable.

* all works unless otherwise stated are silver gelatin, archivally printed original vintage photograph.

Unless stated otherwise photographs are signed and dated verso. All archivally printed vintage photographs made by the artist are authenticated by myself as sole agent for John Fields.

All works are copyright the artist. Reproduction is expressly forbidden without the written approval from the artist.

For enquiries please email sales@galerielangman.com or use the form here to the right.

Thank you

Since returning to New Zealand after living and working in Australia for ten years I have become aware of the need to look critically at our history and where we are headed. My practice of photography is now closely related to an art historical consideration of the importance of this medium in New Zealand’s cultural output. Some content reflects my travels and interests in architecture.

David Langman was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1959. He is a curator and sometime tutor/lecturer in museology, with degrees in art history and art administration, who organises exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand photography. From October 2000 - May 2008 he was Director of the New Zealand Centre for Photography, Wellington. Until recently he was Managing Editor of the New Zealand Journal of Photography.

David spends his time between Wellington and the Wairarapa.

Dr. Allan Chawner is Associate Professor in Photomedia and Covener: Bachelor of Fine Art and Honours, School of Fine Art, Drama, Music and Conservatorium, The University of Newcastle where he has taught since the 1970s. His panoramic photographs have been exhibited worldwide to critical acclaim.