Draft:James Dignan

James Robert Ernest Dignan (born 1963) is an artist, poet, writer and musician from New Zealand. He reviews art and writes a regular column for the Otago Daily Times. He is a musician, who regularly performs around Dunedin and also a songwriter.

Early life and education
Dignan is born in England in 1963 and is a British, Irish and Kiwi descent. His mother is English while his father is a Kiwi. He moved to New Zealand in 1975 and lives in Dunedin. After completing schooling at Tokomairiro High School in Milton, he did his graduation and M.Sc. in psychology from Otago University. He did his specialisation in visual perception and aesthetics.

Career
Dignan started as a freelance journalist reviewing art and became a regular columnist and has been writing for over two decades. Apart from articles on art, he also writes on poetry and music. His developed expertise on flags and his articles appeared in many publications.

Dignan started serious painting in his late thirties in 2000 but has conducted solo exhibitions over the years not only in New Zealand but many other countries. He main areas of interest are portraiture and townscapes, something he refers to as "photoexpressionism". He uses photographs, distorts them using software, and then paints the image on canvas, acrylic or board.

Dignan performed on guitar and vocals for former bands like the Kaftans and the Mookins. He is familiar with all the art galleries around Dunedin and he also provides services as a tour guide for monthly tours. He also does a show on student radio station.