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In memory of David Cheer 1931–2012
'Still, but never static' is how one writer described the work of local artist David Cheer, who died on 4 February, aged 80.
David Cheer One of Four Small Landscapes 1969. Various pencils on Croxly-Liflat paper. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. Purchased 1992. Reproduced with permission
Cheer was born at Bell's Junction, in the Rangitikei district of the central North Island, but spent all of his artistic life in Canterbury. Self-taught, he worked primarily in pencil and was extremely versatile in that medium, with works that range from spikey landscape sketches to highly detailed flights of imagination. In 1963, Cheer was a guest exhibitor with The Group, alongside Ralph Hotere, Toss Woollaston and Colin McCahon and his works have been reproduced in literary journals such as Landfall, Island and Ascent.
David Cheer's work is held in several public collections, including that of Christchurch Art Gallery. Our works, and two portraits of David Cheer by Barry Cleavin, can be seen in My Gallery, here.
At 12:32 PM on 05/04/2012, Ursula Cheer wrote:
Felicity, the family is really touched at the note you have posted about dad. 'Still but never static' is a good description of his work. He had a soaring romantic vision. Many of his works looked upwards, to the sky or to the heavens, and to imagined scapes with fantastic content. But his landscapes also show how he loved the rugged New Zealand he knew as home. Dad left many of his works to various NZ galleries and we will endeavour to complete those bequests in the next year. All the best to the gallery in its ongoing work. Ursula Cheer (Daughter of David Cheer)
At 1:20 PM on 05/04/2012, Felicity Milburn wrote:
Thanks, Ursula, that's much appreciated.
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