Winston Churchill the painter catalogue cover detail
A Portrait of the Statesman Star Sun Wed 22 October 1958
Press Photograph of the exhibition opening 1958
Invitation to the official opening of the exhibition
Letters to the Star Sun
This exhibition is now closed
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Walter Nash, on hearing that this exhibition was to be shown in North America and Australia personally asked Winston Churchill if New Zealand could be given a similar opportunity. Considered to be of very significant civic importance, the exhibition was sent by air, at considerable expense.
The exhibition was opened by the Mayor, George Manning and serendipitously coincided with Churchill's 84th birthday. Country residents were urged to attend as the exhibition was only going to the four main centres.
Although, Churchill painted for pleasure, some of his work was accepted by the Royal Academy. He was praised for his handling of paint and the freshness and boldness he brought to landscapes with his bright, clear colours. Sydney Lough Thompson, artist and Director of the School of Art at the time, praised The Mallows very highly.
3,000 people attended the exhibition and receipts of ₤217 were taken.
-
Date:
1 December – 9 December 1958 -
Location:
Robert McDougall Art Gallery - main gallery -
Exhibition number:
7