This weekend had the chance to visit the house in Titirangi, Auckland, where Colin McCahon lived with his wife and four childern, between 1952 and 1960. The small house is now a museum with a massive adjoining artists’ residency. Born in 1919 in Timaru, New Zealand spent first part of his life on the South Island, and in 1953 moved to Titirangi, Auckland. A tiny house by today’s standards, set in the native bush with kauri and tree ferns. All natural features that are depicted in his painting during this era.
Colin McCahon is a prominent artist in New Zealand, often seen as a controversial figure and painter, but someone that greatly influenced the New Zealand art scene, being credited for bringing modernism to New Zealand in the twentieth century.
Well worth a visit, but reading his history a must to put it all into perspective. Understanding his art …well that is another story.
Some useful links:
- http://www.mccahonhouse.org.nz/ – The McCahon House
- http://www.mccahon.co.nz/ – Calatolgue McCahon’s complete works
- https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/947 – McCahon Biography
