Alison Gray BA, Dip Tchng, Dip NZLS, MA (ArtsAdministration)

Alison Gray was born in Auckland New Zealand in 1950 but at the age of 2 went with her Presbyterian missionary parents to New Hebrides, now called Vanuatu.  Eight years later the family returned to New Zealand and became “Westies”, living in the Waitakere Ranges and going to the local Henderson High School.

A year at Elam School of Fine Art with tutors, McCahon, Hanly, Twiss and Tapper was totally confusing to an ex missionary child and caused a switch to a BA in Art History followed by secondary college and several years of art teaching.

Knitting and sewing proved to be therapeutic activities with young children. By now in Rotorua, the early training in embroidery (on Sundays) was  the inspiration for a contemporary exploration into traditional fabric and fibre techniques. Several awards, exhibitions and commissions happened over the next few years until in 1992 Alison moved to Hamilton. A new environment meant a new direction into flat glass design and construction using the copper foil method.

Since moving to Hamilton, Alison has worked as a librarian at Ngaruawahia, Dinsdale and Hamilton Central libraries and was the Coordinator at ArtsPost, a community arts centre for five and a half years. At the beginning of 2004 Alison was offered a part time art teaching position at Hamilton Girls High School and is back in the classroom after 12 years away.  Glass works are created around the edges of the teaching and the renovation of a small cottage in central Hamilton