Biography

Originally a teacher, Peter Peryer has a degree in English and a Masters in Education. Born in 1941, it was not until his 30’s that he took up photography which for many years now has been his sole occupation.

In 1998 he had a major exhibition and publication in Germany called Second Nature. This exhibition toured in Germany and Australia.

Peter Peryer has been the recipient of several awards. He has an ONZM for his contribution to photography in this country and he has been a Fulbright Scholar, a grant that enabled him to continue studying his medium in the United States.

In 2007 Peter was awarded the William Hodges Fellowship which enabled him to live in Invercargill for 4 months, resulting in an exhibition of 31 images from that period at the Southland Museum & Art Gallery in early 2008.

Peter work regularly appears in books and magazines. During 2008 images of his were seen on the television series The Big Picture, hosted by Hamish Keith. Auckland University Press will publish a book on his work and he is spending the year in Alexandra as the second Henderson House Artist in Residence. The residency was established by philanthropists Russell & Barbara Henderson in the house that was designed for them by Austrian architect Ernst Plischke.

His works are widely collected and are held in all major New Zealand Institutions, and internationally, including the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris and the Australian National Gallery in Canberra.

Peter keeps a journal online. This blog not only shows his new work but gives insights to his practice.

Peter Peryer makes a presentation at a Laureates On-Stage event, held at the Auckland Art Gallery in 2006.  Image on screen - Self-potrait 1977