Trading engines and electrics for contemporary art
More than half of New Zealand workers regret their chosen careers, according to research from the country’s top employment marketplace.
The Evolving Working Life Report, conducted by SEEK last year, showed that 54% of respondents wished they had chosen a different career path.
On average, close to 10% of Wintec students surveyed since 2022 had enrolled in training programmes in order to change careers.
For former tradies Kayla Bacon and Max Nasmith, the decision to swap their blue-collar jobs for careers in contemporary art had nothing to do with money; rather, it stemmed from their passion for creativity.
Each left their roles, Kayla, an automotive technician, and Max, an electrical apprentice, to each enrol respectively in Wintec’s contemporary art degree.
Kayla Bacon with her artwork on display at Hanrad Bespoke Rugs.
“I’m a qualified auto electrician by trade, but like many others, when lockdown hit, I found myself reconnecting with my creativity,” said Kayla in a recent interview with Your Home and Garden NZ.
“I came to the realisation that being a spanner-swinging grease monkey wasn’t for me anymore.”
Kayla graduated from Wintec in 2023, her talents acknowledged with her receiving the institute’s Excellence in Painting award.
Based out of Raglan, Kayla creates retro optical art, with her work exhibited across the motu.
After completing his Bachelor of Contemporary Art with Wintec, Max Nasmith has landed his dream job with Gow Langsford.
Max’s journey from trades to art resulted in a practice where his practical experience continues to influence his mahi.
An electrical apprentice for two years, he decided contemporary art and creative practice was where his future lay.
“I needed to follow something I was passionate about, which is what led me to study contemporary art at Wintec.
“Having an art school close to home in Hamilton made the decision easy – and the use of my own studio space was really ideal."
Max Nasmith's artwork blends his trade experience with pre-loved furniture.
By combining lighting circuits with second-hand and found furniture, Max’s artworks reflect his trade experiences and even his past part-time job in a pre-loved clothing shop.
Since completing his Bachelor of Contemporary Art this year, Max has landed his “dream job” as gallery operations assistant with the country’s leading art dealer, Gow Langsford.
His message to young learners is that it’s never too late to make the change.
“If I didn’t trust my gut, I wouldn't have been given some of the amazing experiences and opportunities I have had working in the Arts.”