Colin McCahon

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Colin McCahon

• A Famous New Zealand
• Artist

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Contents

• Introduction
• Early Years
• Home Life
• Importance to NZ art
• Paintings
• Summary

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Introduction

• Colin McCahon is considered one of New
  Zealand's most famous artists. In this
  presentation I aim to outline Colin McCahons
  early life, home and family life, his importance
  to New Zealand art and briefly introduce you to
  some of his paintings.
• I chose Colin McCahon because I have an
  interest in his paintings and they are different
  than other artists paintings.

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Early Years

• Colin McCahon was born on the 1st of August
  1919 in Timaru, he was the eldest son of Ethel
  John McCahon who lived in Dunedin. His father was
  an accountant but his maternal grandfather
  William Ferrier was a professional photographer
  and watercolorist.

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Early Years Cont.

• During his time at Dunedin Art School he met
  his wife Anne Hamblett who was four years older
  than McCahon. At first she just wanted to be
  friends but soon that changed and they got
  married in 1942. Anne was a good artist in her
  own right and had a style which was modern for
  its own time.

• McCahon attended Maori Hill primary, Waitaki
  High school in Timaru then went on to Otago boys
  High, he then went on to Dunedin school of art .
  But during this time he visited art galleries and
  had private lessons with Russell Clark who
  McCahon said to be a splendid teacher.

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Home Life

• McCahon and his family struggled financially
  because no one would buy his paintings because
  they thought they had no meaning but when he died
  they realized they actually did.McCahons wife
  Anne was very supportive of her husband and his
  art, often keeping them afloat by working.

• Colin and Anne had four children named
  William, Victoria, Catherine and Matthew. One
  time or an other the family lived in
  Dunedin,Timaru, Wellington, Nelson and as well as
  Muriwai and Titirangi. His paintings show the
  areas that the family lived in.

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Importance to new Zealand art

• McMahon's style of art was new to new
  Zealand. He brought modernism to the NZ art scene
  - Kiwi style.
• He bravely used words in his paintings,
  Christian images Maori words and myths along with
  cubism and abstraction.
• He was very involved in the Auckland art
  scene being the tutor at Elam art school at
  Auckland university. As well as being employed by
  Auckland art gallery.

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Paintings

• This now lives in the National Australian
  Gallery in Canberra. It was given to the
  Australian government and at the time caused a
  lot of arguments because the average NZer didnt
  understand it. It is a massive painting about
  the size of a large room.

• In this painting he uses a part of the bible
  to discuss his feelings and his failings as an
  artist. He does this within an New Zealand
  landscape in particular Otago.

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Paintings

• Another painting he uses symbols from the
  bible. The candle in a dark room talks about
  light shining in the dark.

• This shows McCahons early impression of
  Muriwai beach at sunset, probably done when he
  was living there.

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Summary

• Who is Colin McCahon?
• Colin McCahon was a very famous NZ painter,
  who revolutionized the NZ art scene.
• What did Colin McCahon do for his job?
• He was a painter but also worked and taught
  at Auckland Art gallery.
• When was Colin McCahon born?
• Colin McCahon was born on the 1st of August
  1919 in Timaru.
• Why did Colin McCahon become famous?
• Because he brought modernism to the NZ art
  scene and did something none had done before.
• Where did Colin McCahon live?
• He lived his early life in the Otago area
  then moved to Auckland, in particular Muriwai and
  Titirangi.

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Summary Continued

• When McCahon died his family gave all his
  paintings to Auckland Art gallery so they may be
  enjoyed by all people, not just rich private
  owners. His art is very passionate and you can
  see that he never painted to please other people.
  He used painting as a way of talking and his
  paintings certainly talk to me!!
• If you are interested in seeing for yourself
  some of Colin McCahons paintings you can see
  them at Auckland Art Gallery where it is FREE to
  get in and you can see the massive size and cool
  images they show.

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By grace Fletcher

• I hope you like Colin McCahons famous paintings.

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Colin McCahon

• A famous NZ Artist
• Presented by Grace Fletcher

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Thanks a lot for listing to my project