A portrait by Tim Hawkins — photographer
I’ve lived in Central Otago for around 25 years, working as a full time professional photographer following a fourteen year career in South Canterbury of mainly studio work.
As an alpine climber I’m obviously attracted to wild and remote places and Central Otago fitted as somewhere perfect to sling my hook with wild landscapes and remote country not far from my doorstep.
The brief for the website photography was ‘right up my ally’, particularly because Annie Proulx was mentioned as an inspiration. Annie’s work has touched me deeply through her description of desolation and the placement of her characters within it — very much everything I wish to learn about the human condition.
I met James and Matt’s father within a few days of arriving in Central Otago, and it was a year or so after when the boys arrived to become part of Mt Difficulty. My initial contact was with James’s wife Odelle, the artist and horse rider. We have a lot in common.
Since then our acquaintance has grown to a passing friendship with a lot of respect from me to them for their achievements, intellect and sheer hard work whilst continuing to establish a thriving business here in Central Otago. They, too, seem to offer me some measure of respect and so working with them was very easy and very comfortable for us all.
Photographer Tim Hawkins capturing a portrait of Matt Dicey
My inspirations are varied and many. Odelle Morshuis continues to be a great inspiration for me with her never ending quest to build and work with ideas to their conclusion, sometimes developing for years upon a theme. I admire stickability. Photographers: Sebastian Salgado, Jane Bown, Fay Goodwin, Arnold Newman, Don McCullan, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ernst Hass, Brian Brake, Bill Brandt, Melanie Burford, the list is endless as I devour the work of those who have trail blazed our wonderful occupation.
My favourite Dicey wine is definitely the Pinot Noir, fruit and body, what more can one want in a wine! To be enjoyed while sitting around a table with friends discussing the way of the world.