Artist Betty Curnow has been the subject of two powerful portraits in New Zealand art: one produced in 1942 by Rita Angus, the other the painting you see here. Henderson found Angus’s version too serious, and she was determined to present “the other side” of Curnow – specifically her “French side”. Dressing her in a glamorous red dress and colourful shawl, Henderson lets the fabric find Curnow’s curves. The resulting image – with its white rose and cigarette – is a spirited and theatrical protrayal of femininity.
(Louise Henderson: From Life, 27 June – 11 October 2020)