New Zealand House Mural

1963

John Drawbridge

Hidden (in storage)

Type

  • Mural

Medium

  • Oil paint

Dimensions

  • 10 panels each: H3000 x W1500mm. Total: H3000 x W15,000mm

John Drawbridge, ‘New Zealand House Mural’ (1963), Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021

2014–2023

MacLaurin Building (MAC) foyer (Room 152), Kelburn Campus, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

1963–1991

New Zealand House, Haymarket, London, UK

Artists
Credit

On loan from the New Zealand Government to Ngā Puhipuhi o Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Art Collection

Associated Artwork Organisation(s)

Description

"Painted for New Zealand House in the Haymarket, London, this is one of a number of major mural commissions undertaken by John Drawbridge in the 1960s and 1970s. With its rich colours and subtle patterning it is a grand statement of Drawbridge's abilities to synthesise his knowledge of modern European abstract art with observations of his homeland, New Zealand.

In scale its only rival in the University Art Collection is Colin McCahon's monumental 'Gate III' (1970), which for many years hung in this exact spot (and can now be seen in the foyer of Rutherford House at Pipitea Campus).

John Drawbridge is well-known as an artist and teacher. His paintings and prints can be found in many collections including the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, Auckland Art Gallery, and Christchurch Art Gallery."

~ quoted from wall text next to the work.

See also: