Robert Field and William Allen studied together at the Royal College of Art in London, then moved to Aotearoa in 1925 to take up teaching positions at the Dunedin School of Art. They were close friends and brought with them a fresh, modern approach to teaching. The pair inspired a new generation of young artists, encouraging them to disregard academic expectations and propriety. The progressive nature of much of Robert’s work in particular ruffled feathers at the local Otago Art Society, where it was viewed by some as too modern. In response, Robert and William formed an alternative group known as the Six and Four Art Club, which consisted of the two tutors and their students. Both artists encouraged the use of linocuts and wood-engravings among their students, and produced numerous prints themselves.

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