John Fields’ (1938-2013) photographs have been exhibited in shows around the Eastern U.S.A. Two one man shows toured nationally. The first in 1966 at Baldwin College, Cleveland, Ohio to mid-Western states from 1966-68; the second Garden of Man, Washburn Gallery, Boston Museum of Science to North Eastern states 1969-70.  In 1972 he exhibited alongside Harry Callahan at the prestigious Carl Siembab Gallery in Boston. Resident in NZ he was active, and one time President in the creative photographic group PhotoForum. Fields was the first recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council grant for photography, in 1975, for his study of the goldfield town of Thames, New Zealand. He is co-author of the book Victorian Auckland (1973) with noted historian and architect, John Stacpoole. Fields also co-directed Victorian Auckland (1973) a film screened on TV. He produced the publication, A Visual Dialect (1971), illustrating the work of ten New Zealand photographers. Aside from regular exhibitions in Auckland with PhotoForum, his work was exhibited in the most important exhibition of NZ photography at the time, The Active Eye: Contemporary New Zealand Photography, (Manawatu Art Gallery) which toured to 12 venues throughout NZ from 1975 to 1976. Galerie Langman began showing his work in 1996; many works entering into Te Papa’s collection at that time, as well as Sarjeant Gallery Wanganui. Te Papa further bolstered its holdings of his work with the acquisition of 12 additional photographs in 2006.  Fields was both highly regarded and influential during the time he worked in New Zealand between 1966-76. His photographs were used by the University of Auckland Elam School of Fine Arts to instruct students in photography. These vintage photographs, although made between 33-40 years ago are very fresh due to the exceptionally high standards that Fields employed. In most cases the number of photographs made from each negative is in the single figures and less than half a dozen. This makes them beautiful, affordable but valuable. His Bed, Union Street  is illustrated in Art at Te Papa (2007). Whether he was making a photograph of an E-type Jaguar outside a Kiwi pub or making a nature study alongside a country stream, Fields work is notable for exceptional clarity and precise tonal balance - all achieved prior to Photoshop and digital enhancement was thought of. In retirement Fields exhibited photographic works in New Zealand, and taught and lectured at tertiary level, both in Australia and New Zealand.

His work is held in private collections throughout New Zealand, Australia and USA; the principal holdings are in the Auckland Art Gallery (the plates from Victorian Auckland, 140 works) and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (around 25 works) and Sarjeant Gallery, Wanganui.
Athol McCredie, Curator of Photographs, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, notes.
… For example, over the last two or three years we’ve strengthened our holdings of Gary Baigent, Richard Collins and John Fields, seminal photographers of the late 60s-early 70s. Interview, May 2007.

The many friends that John made throughout the world in his 50 year career as a photographer are very saddened that John lost a brief battle with cancer earlier this year. Photography has lost a gentleman, a consummate professional and an exemplary advocate of the medium.

---

 These vintage photographs, although made between 33-40 years ago are very fresh due to the exceptionally high standards that Fields employed.  In most cases the number of photographs made from each negative is in the single figures and less than half a dozen.  This makes them both beautiful and valuable, but affordable.