New work from Peter McIntyre, Dick Frizzell & Abby Taylor


Art on Sunday! New work going LIVE tonight: a watercolour from Peter McIntyre’s trip to Hong Kong; a commemorative lithograph from Dick Frizzell; and two framed works from Abby Taylor. Abby is spending more time in her studio as she is not back at work, post Covid-19, so we are excited to see the outcomes, with these freshly framed editions of works we have previously listed.

Peter McIntyre (1910 -1995)

McIntyre was born in Dunedin in 1910. He began studying at Otago University before dropping out and travelling to London where he was accepted at the Slade School of Fine Art. Following his graduation, he worked as a free-lance commercial artist, his work including theatre productions, restaurant murals as well as serials for magazines. His own contemporary painting of the period was in the Cubist and English avant-garde styles.

When war broke-out he tried to enlist in the British army but was rejected. The New Zealand army accepted him, and he went to Cairo with the 2nd New Zealand Division. His artist talents were recognised, and he completed work for the Parade magazine as well as completing many landscapes and portraits of fellow soldiers. General Freyberg became aware of his talents and in 1941 appointed him an official war artist. As time progressed, he was allowed to work near the frontlines creating drawings of events as they unfolded, using these as the basis for his later painting. This work was described as romantic realism.

After the war he returned to New Zealand first settling in Dunedin before moving to Wellington. He continued to paint winning awards, books of his work were published and there were significant exhibitions at major institutions. He is high recognised for his contribution to New Zealand art.

Dick Frizzell MNZM (1943-)

Dick Frizzell is one of New Zealand’s most successful and high profile contemporary artists. Frizzell studied art at the Canterbury School of Arts from 1960-1964 and was employed in advertising before moving to Auckland to lecture at Elam School of Fine Arts. Frizzell’s kitsch and often cartoon-like paintings and prints, has created some of this country’s most iconic imagery.

This print was presented to Air New Zealand to commemorate the Regent of Auckland’s 5th Birthday on July 15 1990.

Abby Taylor

Life is very still in lockdown.

Ghost Horse by Abby Taylor, is from a selection of works call Still Life, made as part of a collaborative series with Gill Hay. Abby and Gill have been swapping images for the duration of the Covid-19 lockdown. Abby has been interpreting contemporary still life with her photography practice, from everyday objects she collects from her daily walk, or repurposing items from the recycling bin.