Phil Dadson

Born in Napier, New Zealand, Phil is a Fine Arts graduate in sculpture from the University of Auckland/Elam School of Fine Arts, plus holds a Master of Arts with honours from Nepean, West Sydney University. In 1968/69, while still studying for his fine arts degree, it was Phil's experience, as a member of the foundation group for Scratch Orchestra (London) that galvanised his intermedia approach to art and music making. Back home in 1970 he founded Scratch Orchestra (NZ) and later, in 1974, the music/performance group From Scratch, which subsequently performed to wide acclaim in New Zealand and overseas. Phil retired from his position as senior lecturer and head of Intermedia at Elam, at the end of 2001, and now devotes his energies, full time, to his own work.

Since 1990 he has received many major awards and commissions including a Fullbright travel award to the USA, and research, exhibition and performance grants to Canada, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hungary, Austria, UK, India and Argentina.

- The Arts Foundation