New role at Sarjeant Gallery was a dream job

One of Neil Pardington's photographs, Regent Theatre. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

In 1985 a new role was created at the Sarjeant Gallery - photographer and designer.

The first to fill that position was Neil Pardington, who is now creative director of the design agency Base Two and an award-winning photographer of international renown.

He answered questions about his time at the Sarjeant Gallery.

What did your role at the Sarjeant entail?

"It was my first job after graduating from Elam School of Fine Arts and the first thing I had to do for the job was to purchase the necessary photography equipment and set up a darkroom - I call that a dream job.

"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."