Full Name
Roaming the South Island’s landscapes since childhood, Neville Porter has cultivated an intimate and evolving relationship with its terrain, especially with his home region of Central Otago, its seasonal moods, dramatic landscapes, and shifting atmospheres. As a New Zealand ambassador for Leica, Neville continues to explore the landscape with the cameras that have long been his trusted companions on many remarkable journeys.
“My images display the natural beauty, drama and strength of the landscape and I investigate the structure of the ever-changing natural world through my lens.”
Washi Paper
In 2018, Neville began exploring a new medium, washi paper, and went to Japan to better understand the 1600 years old process of this paper making. Its unique texture provides an amazing opportunity to translate his photography in a very special way. Rembrandt greatly prized the special qualities of washi paper imported by the East India Company in the 17th century. This traditional handmade paper was registered by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage item in 2014.
“I have found it is an opportunity to create my own world view, to becurious and respectful about places while attempting to find their soul. I very rarely follow the obvious landmarks and I create the scene while the viewer’s imagination reads the picture.”
Neville Porter’s compositions capture fleeting moments which have been preceded by intense studies of the power and diversity of these dynamic landscapes. His images create space for personal reflection, evoking memories that are both individual and collective. Embracing New Zealand landscape tradition, Neville not only sees with his photographer’s eye, but “with those of a poet”. He does not seek for the grandiose, but for the intimate photograph. The one carried by an intimate connexion with the viewer that yet calls to the universal feeling of personal experience and memory.
With more than thirty years of experience behind the lens, Neville brings both technical precision and poetic insight to his work. Every choice, from framing to printing medium, are thought to amplify the feelings of a scene.
Neville began his career in the textile industry, a background that developed his sensitivity to texture and high-quality materials. His photographic work spans diverse fields, including the music recording industry, World Cup snow skiing, luxury advertising, and architecture. His career has also taken him on extensive travels throughout Europe, the USA, Japan, Antarctica, India, and the Middle East. Over the years, Neville has exhibited in local galleries, including Eade Gallery and Athol Gallery, and has hosted artistic events and spoken about his practice on numerous occasions, most recently during Leica’s anniversary celebration in Auckland.
