"My work involved all sorts of things.
"Photography: documenting exhibitions and works in the collection.
"Design: designing catalogues, invitations, newsletters, exhibition graphics etc.
"I also helped install exhibitions, worked on the entry desk on the weekends once a month and I curated a Wayne Barrar exhibition, his first in a public gallery I believe, and on the back of that purchased some work for the photography collection.
"Bill Milbank, the director at that time, had a knack for putting trust in his staff and getting great outcomes because of that."
How do you think working here has impacted your career?
"Hugely! I was a trained photographer when I started the job, but had only really designed a few posters for my own film screenings, so had little experience as a designer.
"I basically had to learn about design on the job and found I loved it. I'm still designing for art galleries and publishers today with my most recent project the Five Maori Painters identity and catalogue for Auckland Art Gallery."
You shared a darkroom with Laurence Aberhart, the first Tylee Resident, how did that influence you?
"My recollection of that time was that there was a great focus on photography at the gallery. Not only was Laurence there, but Peter Peryer came through, and I was working on Wayne's show."
What was the building like to work in back then?
"Exhibition-wise, it was brilliant - it's a fantastic gallery space."
Did you have a favourite exhibition from your time here at the Sarjeant?
"There were so many shows, it's hard to say. But the two Tylee residency shows, Laurence Aberhart and Andrew Drummond, a dome project by Don Driver and Wayne Barrar's show come to mind."
