NZ’s Greatest Artist Suffered Rejection
Colin McCahon (1920 – 1987), arguably New Zealand’s greatest artist, was described by Gordon Brown as “a powerful and unique force in New Zealand painting.” Yet for many years he suffered from misunderstanding and rejection. Many still miss the point of his work.
Michael Smither: St Francis in Ecstasy
This second painting of Saint Francis by Michael Smither depicts the patron saint of ecology – Smither’s favorite saint – in a state of ecstasy in the presence of nature. Like many NZ artists, Michael is strongly influenced by the landscape.
Michael Smither: “I Would Have Been a Franciscan”
“If I hadn’t become a painter, I would have been a Franciscan,” is how Christian artist Michael Smither described himself in an interview with the New Zealand Women’s Weekly in 1969.
Michael Smither: “Art Gives You An Emotional Map”
“Art gives you an emotional map of your environment.” Michael Smither 4 Dec 1971. Michael Smither has long been one of my favorite New Zealand artists.