James Cook
Aotearoa New Zealand, b.1904, d.1960
Self Portrait - 1933
- 1933
- Pencil
- Presented by Mr F A Shurrock 1960
- 336 x 222mm
- 69/232
Location: W A Sutton Gallery
Tags: gaze (psychoanalytical concept), men (male humans), people (agents), portraits, self-portraits, tone drawings
Ōtautahi Christchurch-born James Cook attended the Canterbury College School of Art between 1918 and 1925, funding his full-time studies by working a milk round before and after classes. Shurrock was his teacher for modelling, and later a colleague when Cook returned as a part-time instructor after travelling overseas on a scholarship. This finely drawn self-portrait was completed shortly before he left for Spain and then Australia, where he became a respected and well-loved art teacher, curator and critic. Here, Cook scrutinises himself – and us – with the keen gaze he put to good use as an incisive art reviewer for Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.
(Dear Shurrie: Francis Shurrock and his contemporaries, 8 March – 13 July 2025)
Exhibition History
In 1933 James Cook left Canterbury for Spain, where he lived and worked until 1936. This work was completed before his departure. Many New Zealand artists of Cook’s generation travelled to Europe to broaden their artistic training and experience different cultures. Cook was an excellent draughtsman. In this drawing his skill is evident in the subtle variations in line and tone, resulting in a convincing self-portrait of the artist. Cook was born in Christchurch and studied at the Canterbury College School of Art. He travelled to Europe in 1926, going on to study in Edinburgh, Rome and London. He returned to New Zealand in 1929 and taught at Canterbury College School of Art until he left to live in Spain. In 1939 he became an accredited war artist. Cook later lived in Sydney and Perth, but died in Florence.
(Label date unknown)