Colin McCahon

Colin McCahon, perhaps the most controversial figure in New Zealand painting, presents us with paintings which have never been easy to come to terms with. While their power can be felt, their meaning and beauty must be struggled for. Speaking of his own painting McCahon tells us it is largely autobiographical; "it tells you where I am at any given time, where I am living and the direction I am pointing in.''

The paintings in this collection show the artist's diverse and individualistic portrayals of the New Zealand landscape and will include a series of illustrations of poems by John Caselberg.

Text extracted from Christchurch Art Gallery website.