What Brings You Here?

We are looking forward to the opening of Thomas Slade's
​'What brings you here? A Tale of Two Towns'
Running 6 August - 1 September 
Opening Event, either Monday, 6 August, 5:30pm. All Welcome.
Wellington based Thomas Slade holds a Master of Fine Arts, Massey University, Wellington.
The work in this exhibition is photography based on 4x5 analog colour negatives and will consists of a selection of a larger body of work comparing two rural towns - Waverly and Shannon, which as Slade points out, as being brought up in Nelson, he feels compare to these both towns.
'What Brings You Here? examines both the positive and negative changes in rural New Zealand. Why does one town decline while another prospers? Initial research revealed small town New Zealand was struggling and statistics showed declining populations and less employment opportunities. It was the decline of the small town where my original concept was focussed. Since the closure of the Iron Ore Mines Waverley has felt the increased effects of a diminishing population, lack of services and low house prices. Ten years ago, Shannon was in a similar position. It is now known for rejuvenation through active town planning and boutique shopping. My photographs of rural New Zealand highlight these changes. They remind us where we have come from as a country and of our identity as New Zealanders. '