McCahon in Aust.

Press, 11 April 1984, Page 20

McCahon in Aust.

A major exhibition of one of New Zealand’s foremost painters, Colin McCahon, will open in Sydney tomorrow. The 22 paintings and drawings will be on display at the Power Gallery at the University of Sydney, as part of the sth Biennale of Sydney. It will be the first substantial exhibition of McCahon’s work outside New Zealand. A large painting, “Victory Over Death,” will be on display at another exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, along with work by Dunedin artist Ralph Hotere. The Biennale of Sydney is Australia’s largest and most important exhibition of international contemporary art. It is one of only four major Biennales held around the world. The theme for this year’s Biennalle is “Private Symbol: Social Metaphor,” and the director, Leon Parossien, has chosen the two New Zealand artists’ work

as it related to this concept. Mr McCahon’s solo exhibition at the Power Gallery has been named “I will need words,” and contains Mr McCahon’s word and number paintings. Although the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council is the usual co-ordinator for New Zealand artists’ representation at the Biennale, it has enlisted the support of the National Art Gallery as well, to help with the gathering, documentation, conservation of the works. The 22 paintings have been borrowed from public and private collections around New Zealand and cover his word and number paintings, from 1947 to 1982. They vary from small charcoal drawings to the mammoth 8.6 metre canvas, “Practical Religion: the Resurrection of Lazarus showing Mount Martha,” painted in 1969 and 1970. The exhibition will stay at the Power Gallery until June 17, and will be opened by Mr McCahon himself tomorrow.