Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater’s portrait unveiled

A newly commissioned portrait of outgoing Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater draws on the self-determination behind her path to leadership.

Created by award-winning artist and photographer Roberta Thornley, a graduate of the University’s Elam School of Fine Arts, the portrait continues a long-standing University tradition of honouring each Vice-Chancellor, with the works forming part of the University of Auckland Art Collection.

The portrait was unveiled at Professor Freshwater’s farewell event on 23 March and is the first to be produced in a photographic medium rather than as a painted work.

Professor Freshwater says the decision to take the portrait in a different direction came out of early conversations with Thornley.

“We saw it as an opportunity to do something a little different, while keeping a sense of tradition. Photography felt like a more accessible, contemporary medium, and one that our students engage with every day.”

Thornley says the portrait draws on Professor Freshwater’s life and career, capturing her strength and warmth.

“There is a wonderful arc of self-determination in her story, from being the first in her family to be university educated, to nurse, researcher, leader and the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland.”

The portrait shows Professor Freshwater front and centre, in black against a dark background, with an academic cap and pounamu.

“The cap, a symbol of education to freedom, underpins what I have come to understand about what education has provided for Dawn. For an object born out of the 12th century, it looks thoroughly brilliant and modern when worn by her.”

Thornley has exhibited widely across Aotearoa and abroad, and is known for her intimate and considered photographic practice. In 2017, she was awarded the Arts Foundation’s Marti Friedlander Photographic Award.

“Working with Dawn was a privilege. She was incredibly forthcoming, generous and fun.”

The portrait will be displayed alongside the University’s collection of Vice-Chancellor portraits in the ClockTower.

Professor Freshwater announced last year that she was stepping down from her role as Vice-Chancellor. Her final day at the University is 10 April.