Adoptees

Date: 15 June 2008 - 15 Jun 2008

From: Studio La Gonda - a large format legacy oral history project

By: Turner, John Bunty, 1943-

Reference: OHInt-1002-04

Description: Interview with John B. Turner, born in Porirua in 1943. Refers to finding out by accident when he was 42 that he had been taken from his birth mother at about ten days and adopted. Talks about researching the life of his birth mother. Mentions growing up in Railways houses and his adoptive mother fostering children. Comments that taking photographs gave him a little bit of power. Mentions his first camera - an Agfa Clack, and early mentor Wally Fryer - a master craftsman bookbinder who got him into a camera club. Mentions early darkrooms he adapted around the home and his parents tolerating his interest. Talks about the various ways he made pocket money to buy photographic equipment. Refers to serving as an apprentice compositor at the Government Print Office. Comments on taking WEA classes in writing and advertising in 1965, and his ambition to do and/or write about photography. Refers to his first public show in 1965 with Barry Clothier. Describes working as an assistant to David Sache, photographer for South Pacific News, and as a photography printer at the Dominion Newspaper, the National Publicity Studios and the Dominion Museum. Talks about becoming active in the Art Gallery and Museums Association of New Zealand, organising exhibitions, and discovering historical collections in provincial museums. Describes his activities raising consciousness about photograph conservation and developing links with the international photographic community. Details influences on his interest in the history of New Zealand photography, starting the magazine "Photographic Art and History" in 1970, and the genesis of PhotoForum - the magazine and the society. Discusses becoming Head of Photography at Elam School of Fine Arts where he had been teaching for 10 years. Refers to Mark Adams and Haru Sameshima, their working methods and practice. Describes Studio La Gonda (SLG) - the facilities and its activities, and compares the open studio model with other commercial photographers. Defines large format photography as 5x4 and bigger, and speculates that the SLG interest in it comes from a respect for history. Talks about the craft of large format photography work, its context in New Zealand, and photographers who use it including Laurence Aberhart. Comments on making the book "Good luck John!" [self published in a first edition of four copies to accompany an exhibition in 1985]. Discusses the impact of photography on his life. Interviewer(s) - Hanna Scott Accompanying material - Photocopy of a newspaper article entitled "Historical value in family snapshot" with a photograph of John Turner holding a large format negative plate (NZ Herald, 22 July 1972) Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-023031 - OHC-023033 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7508. Photograph of John B Turner and his wife Janet at home (photographer Mark Adams; 2008) Search dates: 1943 - 2008

Date: 1879 - 1882

By: Hemus & Hanna (Firm)

Reference: PA3-0101

Description: Inscriptions: Verso - Chalmers Cruikshank, son of John Cruikshank & Rose Forsayth. Grandson of Capt Forsayth. Adopted after his father's (John Cruikshank) death by D B Cruikshank. Went to sea Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).