Colin McCahon (1919-87), New Zealand’s greatest painter, has an ever-growing reputation throughout the world. This website documents and celebrates one portion of this rich career—the years from 1953 to 1960 when McCahon lived in the hilly bush-suburb of Titirangi by the Manukau Harbour on the outskirts of Auckland city.
Visit the McCahon House
The cottage at 67 Otitori Bay Road Titirangi where McCahon and his family lived at that time has been lovingly restored and in 2009 won a national NZIA award for heritage for architect Graeme Burgess in association with Rick Pearson. The little bach is open to the public on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (except public holidays) from 10am to 2pm. Tours outside of opening hours can be arranged for intermediate and secondary schools and special interest groups. There is a suggested donation of $5 per adult.
Photos: Emily Andrews
McCAHON ARTIST'S RESIDENCY - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS.
Applications from professional artists are now available online. Three residencies, each of three months duration are available between March 2011 and February 2012. Applications close Monday 9th August. Please read the criteria carefully. The application is now available to download.
McCahon Arts Residency - Parehuia.
Martin Basher
Martin Basher is two thirds through his residency and working on a new body of paintings and related wall-work, dealing with commerce, spirituality and desire. Of the McCahon residency, he says "...Working in this wonderferul environment, and with the support of the McCahon Trust, I have the opportunity to focus and develop my work enormously. It is a great opportunity and I amvery lucky to be here."
Martin will hold an Open Studio at the residency on Saturday 12 June from 11am to 3pm.
The McCahon House residency aims to give artists the opportunity to develop their work through a supportive programme while living in the environment that impacted so profoundly on the work of Colin McCahon. Artists live and work for three months in an award winning residency designed by Pete Bossley Architects. Find out more.......
The Trust welcomed Ava Seymour to the residency in November. Ava's exhibition will coincide with the Festival of Photography in June and will be held at Lopdell House Gallery. A review of the Peter McLeavey Gallery exhibition describes Ava's large Triptyque Lumiere: "...Like a midnight garden of musky perfumes, Seymour’s work is also a dreamy nocturne. Intensely musical, it is a work of dark sensual delights playing with a majestic but hazy rainbow of purples, greens, scarlets, gold and silver."
Contact the Trust's manager Chris McBride for more information at mccahon@lopdell.org.nz or (09) 817 8087 x203
Thanks to the Colin McCahon Research and Publication Trust for permission to publish images of McCahon paintings.
