Principal Lecturer, School of Art, Otago Polytechnic

“Learning from students is one of the greatest privileges that teaching bestows.”

Clive Humphreys is a truly exceptional teacher. His students regard him as consistently supportive, yet challenging - pushing them towards fulfilling the creative potential they did not know they had. Clive’s teaching has a philosophical foundation in stimulating, challenging and provoking public thought through the work of his students. His innovative and creative exhibition spaces are evidence of this. Clive expects his graduates to be ‘change-ready’, not merely work-ready. He challenges them to develop an “analytic instinct for the pulse of social and cultural currents” and to truly make a difference.

Clive also embraces education as a catalyst for change in the lives of his students. His sustained, sensitive support for students to explore uncomfortable subjects illuminates a praiseworthy compassion and authenticity. Students and colleagues have described him as inspirational, refreshingly direct and “a true renaissance man” who “has the ability to inspire and mentor other staff members”. A student comments: “His passion for art is magnetic. During lectures it literally bounces off the walls and affects everybody.”