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.

McCahon has also been referred to as “The Prophet”, and it’s not unusual to find prophets being rejected, because they are speaking into the future and from a deeper insight than most of us.  In addition, what they have to say is often the very last thing people want to hear.

Mockery and indifference often arise from lack of understanding.  They are opt-outs, too, for those who want to carry on doing just what they are doing.  Easier and more pleasant than being forced to accept that physical and moral consequences may lie ahead.

The two central themes of Colin McCahon’s work were the land and his Christian faith.  These two themes were closely intertwined in his personal experience and he used both of them to convey his concerns about what he saw going on.  His paintings were in a very real sense letters addressed to the world.

Because many people still do not understand what Colin McCahon was doing, and because his works are important (not only to Christians), I’m going to look at and explain some of them as this blog progresses.

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art, artist, modern. Colin McCahon, New Zealand, christian, prophet