Geoffry Dean Hinton Profile

Geoffry Hinton (b. Auckland, 1953 ~ ) is a New Zealand artist and writer. He began his career being trained and working as a commercial artist for a major Auckland newspaper while also attending the Auckland Technical Institute, gaining a Preliminary Diploma in Fine Arts.

Subsequently he removed to Christchurch where he attended Ilam School of Fine Arts, the University of Canterbury and graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts (1975). Later he would do courses in anthropology, art education and radio production. Two extensive trips to Europe were made in the mid – late seventies in between working in the editorial departments of two major Auckland newspapers.

In 1976 his work “The Incandescent Object” was chosen for inclusion in the Benson and Hedges Art Award for contemporary New Zealand art travelling exhibition.

He moved to work and reside in Japan in 1982, where he has lived for the past twenty-five years.

In Japan he has taught at technical schools in creative writing, drama, photography and design. While at the education department of Shizuoka University he has taught courses in “Expressionist Painting”.

Over the years he has participated in many art exhibitions while also producing his own shows. From 2003 to 2005 he was director of the ArtPro series of exhibitions in Shizuoka City, Japan.

With regards to film, Geoffry Hinton first became associated with film while at university and with the establishment of the Alternative Cinema co-operative. Later he would work with Mr. Gregor Nicholas on his early film “Mouth Music” and while in Japan researching for Hawke Films (of Hong Kong) for short documentary projects on Japanese life. For the Asia File series he wrote and directed “The Heart of the Sword” (1984) on Japanese swords-man-ship (Iai-batto-jitsu) – he would be inducted into the study of this and gain a three-dan (approx. a three - grade black belt). His own video – film “The Permanent Sky” (1991) was awarded a special prize at the NHK Hida – Takayama Video Festival. Later he would work with Trevor Almeida on "Ee Bwana" (1998).

In 2000 he published the novel, through Minerva Press, London, “And Then There Were None …” During 2005 he worked doing documentary work in and on the Baltic Nations and Belorussia producing the commissioned report 'Chaim Soutine: Tracks and Traces'.

He has recently completed his second novel, “Tessarae”.

December, 2008.