Colin McCahon: Letters And Numbers
2019 marks the centenary of the birth of Colin McCahon. Widely regarded as the most influential New Zealand artist of the 20th century, McCahon developed a singular vision over a career of more than four decades. His unique contribution to twentieth-century art is distinguished by his characteristic use of painted text, relentless exploration of religious ideas and integration of aspects of international modernism to the local regional context. McCahon鈥檚 inventive and deeply personal visual language traversed a complex territory addressing themes and subjects including Christian and M膩ori spirituality, emotional and symbolic journeys, the landscape, environmental concerns and the expressive potential of numbers and words.
"Colin McCahon: Letters and Numbers" explores McCahon鈥檚 significance through a close examination of works in the collection of the NGV. The exhibition also provides insights into the artist鈥檚 early connection with the NGV. McCahon鈥檚 first trip outside New Zealand was to Melbourne in 1951 to study paintings in the NGV collection, a pivotal moment in his career.
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2019 marks the centenary of the birth of Colin McCahon. Widely regarded as the most influential New Zealand artist of the 20th century, McCahon developed a singular vision over a career of more than four decades. His unique contribution to twentieth-century art is distinguished by his characteristic use of painted text, relentless exploration of religious ideas and integration of aspects of international modernism to the local regional context. McCahon鈥檚 inventive and deeply personal visual language traversed a complex territory addressing themes and subjects including Christian and M膩ori spirituality, emotional and symbolic journeys, the landscape, environmental concerns and the expressive potential of numbers and words.
"Colin McCahon: Letters and Numbers" explores McCahon鈥檚 significance through a close examination of works in the collection of the NGV. The exhibition also provides insights into the artist鈥檚 early connection with the NGV. McCahon鈥檚 first trip outside New Zealand was to Melbourne in 1951 to study paintings in the NGV collection, a pivotal moment in his career.
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