Roma Anderson

Making the step to commit
“It can be difficult to make the step to commit so much time to yourself and your art. But it gives you great opportunity to deepen your understanding of your practice and to enrich your engagement within your field of work. In short, just go for it!”
My creative practice
“My creative practice involves various forms of photography, as well as digital and new media. I explore glitches, broken code, and artificial intelligence in the digital realm. In photography, I investigate camera-less techniques, light leaks, and damaged or expired film.
“I collect and work with old cameras. One of my favourites is my Asahi Pentax. It belonged to my great-grandfather. Working with cameras that were once owned by other people is a special way to connect with distant times and places.
“Throughout my postgraduate studies, I have been photographing the Tāmaki River and its streams, estuaries and tributary arms. I am interested in the ecology of mangroves and wetlands and their complexity.
Doctoral study
“Doctoral study can be an intimidating prospect, but it’s a great opportunity to dedicate an extended period to your creative practice and research interests. No matter our interests, or the style of our work, the teaching staff always provide feedback to help us deepen our enquiries in our chosen practice. There’s a lot of freedom to experiment, try new things and push ideas and processes to their limit.
“Your supervisors are invaluable because they offer their experience in the professional field of Fine Arts. Added to that is the fact they too were once postgraduate students.
You also become part of a community you can share your research with. You gain insight into others’ research and work by attending seminars and lectures from professionals in the field, as well as from your fellow postgraduate students.”