Phil Dadson is a seminal figure in New Zealand’s art history, both for pushing the boundaries of sound and intermedia art since the 70s with the internationally renowned From Scratch, the subject of two survey exhibitions in 2018, and marking its 50th anniversary in 2024; and for his influence on a generation of now leading senior and mid-career artists through his position as Head of Intermedia/Time-based arts at Auckland University’s Elam School of Fine Arts from 1986 – 2001. He became a New Zealand Arts Foundation Laureate in 2001, and an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2005. His highly inventive trans-disciplinary approach to making art includes solo performances and exhibitions, building experimental musical instruments and sonic objects, digital video/audio and installation, music composition, graphic scores and drawing, sound sculptures and improvisations with invented instruments. Video remains a constant passion as much for its ability to synergistically combine image and sound as for its unique physicality.
A founder of Scratch Orchestra (London, 1969, with Cornelius Cardew, Michael Parsons and others), Dadson returned to New Zealand and established From Scratch (1974). The group, whose founding members included Don McGlashan, Wayne Laird and Bruce Barber, garnered international acclaim for its legendary performances on original instruments. Their performances were the subject of Gregor Nicholas’ films Drum Sing and Pacific 3-2-1-Zero, the latter awarded the Croisette d’Or Grand Prix at the Cannes Music Film Awards in 1994. Both films are included in the Permanent Film Collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Dadson continues to exhibit and perform regularly in New Zealand and internationally, and his films have been selected for International Film Festivals. He has received several major awards and commissions including a Fulbright travel award to the USA, residencies in Antarctica, Delhi, Venice, San Francisco, and numerous International research, exhibition and performance grants. 2013 brought exhibitions and performances in Aotearoa, Chile (Kermedecs conservation project), and Christchurch’s Scape 7. The 2015 Fulbright residency period in San Francisco continues to reverberate through current performances and album releases. The year also saw the production of two new video works, one for the 56th Venice Biennale and one for WERK/ KUNST/WERK in Kassel, Germany. In 2022/23 Dadson established the Breath of Weather Collective – commissioned for Te Tuhi Contemporary Art Trust’s exhibition Huarere : Weather Eye, Weather Ear, in association with World Weather Network – to undertake a one year climate change recording project Kōea o Tāwhirimātea: Weather Choir.
Dadson lives and works in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
