About Gerald Lopez
Artist Bio
I was born in Malacca, Malaysia; grew up near jungles and nature; and had all manner of pets including jungle fowl, dogs, cats, snakes, monitor lizards, squirrels, and an otter.
I was taught photography in my teens by a visiting photographer from Ogilvy & Mather, London. After graduating in Law from London University, I started professional photography in the mid-1980's. Most of my work then was shooting premium London properties for real estate companies and design agencies.
In 1994 I returned to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and shot award-winning images for architects, interior designers, resorts and superyacht operators. I photographed for two coffee table books, The Art of Living in Singapore and The Art of Living in Malaysia, published by NGM Publishers. I also lectured on photography in a number of design colleges.
In 1999 I emigrated to New Zealand and photographed for various magazine publishers; as well for yacht designers, architects and other clients.
In 2000 onwards, I became a full-time father, studied and practised as a natural health consultant, lectured at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, and studied for a postgraduate diploma in Health Science at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). After 10 years, I went into offering digital media and marketing, and building websites.
I now photograph in order to create art prints, focusing increasingly on shooting on black & white film. I find this way of working causes me to work more deliberately and carefully. My subject is unashamedly the beauty of the world, how form manifests underlying energy, and how Nature soothes and nourishes the soul. Photography then becomes a process that potentially integrates and heals society.
I was taught photography in my teens by a visiting photographer from Ogilvy & Mather, London. After graduating in Law from London University, I started professional photography in the mid-1980's. Most of my work then was shooting premium London properties for real estate companies and design agencies.
In 1994 I returned to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and shot award-winning images for architects, interior designers, resorts and superyacht operators. I photographed for two coffee table books, The Art of Living in Singapore and The Art of Living in Malaysia, published by NGM Publishers. I also lectured on photography in a number of design colleges.
In 1999 I emigrated to New Zealand and photographed for various magazine publishers; as well for yacht designers, architects and other clients.
In 2000 onwards, I became a full-time father, studied and practised as a natural health consultant, lectured at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, and studied for a postgraduate diploma in Health Science at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). After 10 years, I went into offering digital media and marketing, and building websites.
I now photograph in order to create art prints, focusing increasingly on shooting on black & white film. I find this way of working causes me to work more deliberately and carefully. My subject is unashamedly the beauty of the world, how form manifests underlying energy, and how Nature soothes and nourishes the soul. Photography then becomes a process that potentially integrates and heals society.
Artist Statement
Photography Exhibitions
- September in Crete – London, 1985 – A solo show of the colours and textures of the Mediterranean.
- Verdant Chaos – London, 1987 – Solo show of unique Malaysian images as captured by a Malaysian.
- Portraits of East Timor – Auckland, 2003 – Solo show, a documentary of a country and people following liberation from 25 years of foreign occupation.
- Nourishing the Soul – Auckland, 2018 – A solo show in conjunction with the Auckland Festival of Photography.
- 5 Days – Auckland, 2019 – Group show featuring five b&w prints shot over five days.
- Northart Summer Show – Auckland, 2024 – Group show.
