Portia Haddon
Combining her love of art with literature by studying a conjoint degree, Portia is establishing a sense of identity and finding what inspires her most through her studies.
Key facts:
Programme: Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Arts conjoint, majoring in English and Media and Screen Studies
Iwi: Ngāti Kuri
High school: Long Bay College/Te Kāreti o te Oneroa o Kahu, Auckland
Scholarship: University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship, Jonathan Mane-Wheoki Fine Arts Award for Māori and Pacific Students, The Gerard Commissaries Scholarship, Michael and Dame Rosie Horton Prize
“At high school I was passionate about creative writing and painting, and dreamt of being an artistic director, filmmaker or pursuing a writing career. Studying a conjoint degree meant I didn’t have to choose between the two. By going to the University of Auckland, I hoped to give myself the chance to explore my voice, be challenged and to find my identity as an artist.
“I love the balance between lectures and studio classes across my conjoint, because I’m able to absorb literary and film theory, which influences my artmaking. The analytical focus of the Bachelor of Arts (BA), in which I have learnt how to write and research critically, has also enriched my ability to articulate what my art is about and why I make it.
“Studying Fine Arts at Elam has offered me the flexibility to explore more than one medium. My passion first started in painting, but I have now explored sculpture and performance art too. Having the opportunity to try new things, and to experiment without fear of failure are things I’m really grateful for.
“My favourite paper has been Fine Arts 241: Indigeneity and Culture: Power and Place, which explores the concept of indigenous self-governance, contemporary Māori art, and what it means to be tāngata whenua. This paper was seminal to shaping my practise, as I developed the understanding that civil rights and social advocacy are the foundation of what it means to be an artist for me. Art can be made by anyone, anywhere. And it’s most affecting when we realise that our own worlds are worthy of being made into art.
“My favourite thing about my English major is having the opportunity to learn from poets and authors who offer inspiration and pathways for self-expression. In English 252: Creative Writing: Four Genres, we were given a coursebook full of short stories, journalism and contemporary poetry by local and global writers. I’ve found some of my biggest influences from these works, and the writing workshops where we can discuss our work and receive feedback have been instrumental in my writing. These kinds of critical opportunities with your peers and tutors are invaluable.
To me, choosing my conjoint degree represented the potential to be ambitious, to take pride in who I am and the chance to learn from leading artists.
“I am constantly moving between different methods of working, whether I’m gathering inspiration for artworks and sketching ideas or working my way through a novel for an essay assignment. I enjoy the longer form of studio Fine Arts classes, where we sit together to discuss the process, meaning and intent we have for our projects. I really appreciate the support we have from the technicians and that we can borrow equipment to work with in our independent study time.
“For the past couple of years, I’ve been a volunteer at the Gus Fisher Gallery in Auckland. I wanted to learn more about the art world in a gallery context and to understand how artists present their work. I’ve been grateful to receive insight into how exhibition programmes operate and it’s rewarding to speak to visitors about their experiences. Talking to international visitors about our local art always gives me a fresh perspective on my own environment too.
“I’m inspired by my whānau to work hard and to always acknowledge and remember the labour and dreams of the people who came before me. I draw inspiration from my whakapapa and our tūrangawaewae in Te Hiku ō Te Ika in my art practise, which often considers the concepts of borderlands and homelands.
“I’ve also been part of the Tuākana programme, in which we kōrero, share kai and collaborate. This year, I’m one of the Tuākana mentors, and I’m really looking forward to the awesome exhibition we’re working on!
“I find the student lifestyle busy but stimulating. I like to visit the art galleries near campus to relax. There are lots of great spaces to study here and I enjoy going to Hiwa when I need a break from my essays!
“For me, the most important thing about art is its ability to uplift community. Art offers us a space to be emotional, to be playful and to lose the rules and roles that restrict us in our everyday world. Art reminds us that nothing in our world is fixed– and there is freedom in knowing this impermanence can open the door to build better futures.
“Right now, I want to pursue the goal of being a full-time contemporary artist and poet. I’m also interested in public service and civil rights activism, so I want to work closely with my communities when I make art.”