Biography of Philip Morgan

Born 1946, Hull, England

Emigrated to New Zealand at age of 6, Educated in Christchurch and Napier.

First love of photography started at age 12 when I found a Kodak Box Brownie on a rubbish dump. Restored the camera to working condition and started teaching myself developing and printing. Did this is a wardrobe in my bedroom, and washed the prints in the bath.

When I left school I went to Teachers’ Training College at Ardmore near Auckland. Furthered my photographic career by joining the photographic club and spending most of my time being the college photographer and in the darkroom.

Held my first exhibition of photography at college. My studies were neglected for photography, so I was expelled.

Joined TVNZ as a trainee cameraman and went on to directing nightly news and “Town and Around”.

After working for TVNZ I joined NZ Aerial Mapping in Hastings as a trainee photographer, and it was here that I developed (pardon the pun) my love of black and white photography. I believe I became one the best b & w printers ever.

In 1967 came to Australia and joined the ABC in Melbourne. Went on to become a director of “This Day Tonight”.

Returned to NZ in 1969 and joined Inglis Wright Advertising in Wellington as a TV Producer.

After 9 cold months in Wellington I was offered my old job back at the ABC.

In 1970 I was asked to join George Patterson Advertising in Melbourne as a TV writer/director. Wrote and directed many award winning commercials for clients such as Cadbury - Crunchie and Flake and GM Holden. During this period also furthered my photographic and graphic design knowledge.

After 30 months with Patts, I decided that it was about time to go freelance, so set up my first photographic studio at home in Elsternwick, Melbourne. Teamed up with Les Mason Design working on Epicurean magazine, and had a joint exhibition in 1974.

Late 1974 left for South Africa, where I set up a design and photographic studio in Johannesburg. Had an exhibition at Main Street Gallery. In 1975 left South Africa for England where I worked as a freelance photographer and graphic designer for such clients as British Airways, Traveller’s Design, British Tourist Authority etc. Had a small exhibition of photography in Little Bond Street, London at Gooderham Gallery.

In 1977 returned to NZ and worked for 2 years as a photographer/designer for Charles Haines Advertising (now FCB. 1979 started my own studio again in Auckland specialising in food and travel photography, and graphic design for the tourism industry. In 1982 won first prize in a Kodak International Photographic Competition for commercial photographers.

In 1984 started to investigate computer graphics and eventually started “The Mouse That Roared” {after raising $1million unsecured) - the first computer animation facility in Australasia. Went on to produce many memorable and award winning commercials including the Dire Straits “Money for Nothing” promotional video clip. Andrew Adamson - director of both Shrek movies and Narnia was my first employee.

!987 I sold out The Mouse That Roared and returned to my true loves of photography and design. Also started painting at this time.

In 1997 myself and my family moved to Noosa, Queensland where I set up a small advertising and graphic design agency. Started painting more seriously 5 years ago, and in September 2002 opened my own art “showroom” in the Harvey Norman Centre in Noosa.

My love of colour and texture is the motivation behind many of my paintings. Whether they are abstract, landscape, nudes, or something just for fun.

2004 - Exhibition Bark gallery of Modern Art, Hong Kong

I now live in Noosa, where I run a small graphic design & photography studio, and paint to keep sane.

I live with my wife (Glenda) and cat (Panther). My son Hamish goes to university in Brisbane where he is studying archaeology. My daughter Astrud lives in Auckland with Alistair and their two beautiful daughters, Augustine and Aila.

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