Listing Details
Colin McCahon
1919-1989
New Zealand artist Colin McCahon is credited with introducing Modernism to 20th century art. His art practice included different styles from landscape to the overlaying of painted text.
Born in Timaru the family moved to Dunedin where McCahon attended school and later his first art classes with artist Russell Clark. He attended Dunedin Art School from 1937 – 1939. McCahon submitted work to be included in the Otago Art Society’s group exhibition but was excluded at first on the grounds of his modernist monochromatic style. Complaints were made by other artists at his omission and the society relented and included his work.
When war broke out McCahon, a pacifist, did try and enlist but was rejected because he had an enlarged heart. McCahon had married artist Anne Hamblett and in the early years of the marriage he and his growing family of 4 children lived with his parents. He would periodically leave to earn money, seasonal fruit picking in various parts of New Zealand.
I Paul to you at Ngatimoti ,his first religious painting, was created in 1946. These works were to continue for the rest of his life. McCahon choose to depict events from Christ’s life in a New Zealand context. He was not a member of a particular religion but religion created questions that became central to his artistic practice.
The McCahon family first relocated to Christchurch and then moved to Titirangi before moving to central Auckland . He worked at both Auckland Art Gallery and Elam Art School influencing the work of many emerging artists.
McCahon has been credited with creating an artistic Nationalism in New Zealand.
“Most of my work has been aimed at relating man to man to this world, to an acceptance of the very beautiful and terrible mysteries that we are part of. I aim at very direct statement and ask for a simple and direct response. Any other way the message gets lost.
My painting is almost entirely autobiographical – it tells you where I am at any given point in time, where I am living and the direction I am pointing in. In this present time it is very difficult to paint for other people – to paint beyond your own ends and point directions as painters once did. Once the painter was making signs and symbols for people to live by; now he makes things to hang on walls at exhibitions.”
Colin McCahon
Artist's book of 24 lithographic leaves bound with cord. Published by Hocken Library, 1976, signed and dated 1952.
Colin McCahon created the original work in 1951 as a series of fifteen ink on paper drawings, gifted to his friend and patron the poet Charles Brasch. After Brasch’s death the hand-bound volume was gifted to the Hocken Library at Otago University. A series of copies were made in 1976 with the goal of making McCahon's work more accessible.
Dimensions: 200mm W x 260mm H
Condition Note: Please refer to images. This work is in fair condition. We are happy to provide further detail on request.
