Former F.J. Denton Photography Studio, 128 Victoria Avenue, Wanganui 1988
Richard Wotton, Artist
This is one of the
photographs
in our collection.
It was made in
Whanganui, Whanganui Region, New Zealand
in 1988.
See full details
Object Detail
About the Work
"Wotton’s
interiors
always
have
an
uncanny
way
of
building
presence
through
absence.
What
is
in
the
frame
(wooden
beams,
doors
and
the
remains
of
photographic
gear),
hints
at
what
was.
Mirroring
this
time
warp,
Wotton’s
image
of
Frank
Denton’s
delipidated
photographic
studio
points
to
lengthy
chronology
of
Whanganui
photographers."
- Anique Jayasinghe, 'My Choice' exhibition series, November 2022
This is a former photographic studio located at 128 Victoria Avenue Whanganui. The premises were purpose-built for photographer Frank Denton who occupied it from 1911-1927. The studio was distinctive because it had a small third floor tower-like room designed for daylight printing.
In 1927 Denton sold his studio and the business to Mark Lampe (who had already established Tesla Studios in 1908 in Ridgway Street). The business was renamed Tesla-Denton Studios.
In 1932-1933 the premises were purchased by photographer Thomas Metcalfe who established his own business there (Lampe's business reverted to Tesla Studios).
In 1967 Metcalfe sold the business to James White and John Bourne who traded as Wybon Studios. John Bourne moved into photographic retail and Huge Perry joined James White in a short partnership before James White moved to join Bill Lindberg in Hamilton (then finally settled in Napier). Hugh Perry continued to run the studio for a short time before moving the Christchurch in 1973 (to be photographer for the Presbyterian Church), he sold the business to John Souter, who eventually left the building for other premises on Victoria Avenue.
In 1989, after a fire in the adjacent building which weakened the structure, the studio at 128 Victoria Avenue was demolished.
Ref: Peter Ireland, Frank Denton Photographer in Time of Transition, 2003 and Hugh Perry, Towards 75 Years of Organisition of Professional Photography: The NZ Institute of Professional Photography Story, 2018.
- Anique Jayasinghe, 'My Choice' exhibition series, November 2022
This is a former photographic studio located at 128 Victoria Avenue Whanganui. The premises were purpose-built for photographer Frank Denton who occupied it from 1911-1927. The studio was distinctive because it had a small third floor tower-like room designed for daylight printing.
In 1927 Denton sold his studio and the business to Mark Lampe (who had already established Tesla Studios in 1908 in Ridgway Street). The business was renamed Tesla-Denton Studios.
In 1932-1933 the premises were purchased by photographer Thomas Metcalfe who established his own business there (Lampe's business reverted to Tesla Studios).
In 1967 Metcalfe sold the business to James White and John Bourne who traded as Wybon Studios. John Bourne moved into photographic retail and Huge Perry joined James White in a short partnership before James White moved to join Bill Lindberg in Hamilton (then finally settled in Napier). Hugh Perry continued to run the studio for a short time before moving the Christchurch in 1973 (to be photographer for the Presbyterian Church), he sold the business to John Souter, who eventually left the building for other premises on Victoria Avenue.
In 1989, after a fire in the adjacent building which weakened the structure, the studio at 128 Victoria Avenue was demolished.
Ref: Peter Ireland, Frank Denton Photographer in Time of Transition, 2003 and Hugh Perry, Towards 75 Years of Organisition of Professional Photography: The NZ Institute of Professional Photography Story, 2018.
This record has related works.
Measurements
Image 190 x 240mm
Media
selenium-toned silver gelatin print
Subject Place
Description
Image of interior of Frank Denton's former studio at 128 Victoria Avenue which he occupied from 1911-1927. The studio was subsequently occupied by other photographic businesses including Mark Lampe's Tesla-Denton Studios and Thomas Metcalfe then Wybon Studios. Image shows a large room with wooden beams in the ceiling, assorted gear scattered around the wall and carpet laid out on the floor.
Credit Line
Collection of the Sarjeant Gallery, Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. Purchased, 1999
Collection Type
Permanent collection
Acquisition Date
10 Dec 1999
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Accession Number:
1999/30/1
