This robe, inspired by the traditional Japanese kimono, was made and hand-painted by Shurrock while he was studying at the Royal College of Art in London in 1912. It highlights the influence of Japanese art on Western culture at the time. Artists such as James Whistler and post-impressionists like Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh were inspired by ukiyo-e prints. This robe also reveals the eccentricities of Shurrock’s character that made him stand out in the conservative town of Ōtautahi Christchurch. Juliet Peter recalled Shurrock’s colleagues at the Canterbury College School of Art wearing “suits, ties and shoes”, whereas Shurrock walked around in a “coarse sculptor’s smock, with (usually) a red and white checked gingham shirt, open at the neck and sandals”.

(Dear Shurrie: Francis Shurrock and his contemporaries, 8 March – 13 July 2025)

Poppies, a symbol of sacrifice on the battlefield, is a poignant image that reflects Francis Shurrock’s own experiences serving on the Western Front during World War I, as well as those of his comrades and adversaries. Bringing his skills as a sculptor to carving the lino block was a natural fit for Francis, as the strong design of this print clearly shows. This linocut has been printed in black from the original block in the case behind you and then hand-coloured with watercolour paint.

Ink on Paper: Aotearoa New Zealand Printmakers of the Modern Era, 11 February – 28 May 2023