Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist

Te Papa touring exhibition Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist | He Ringatoi Hou o Aotearoa brings together 20 works by one of New Zealand’s most iconic 20th-century artists, Rita Angus (1908–1970). She was fundamental to the establishment of a distinctive, modern school of art in New Zealand. Over a period of 40 years, Angus produced a remarkable body of work.

The works on display span Angus’s life and career as an artist, drawing out the themes of pacifism, feminism and nature, which shaped much of her work. The exhibition includes many of Angus’s most important works, including Rutu (1951), Cleopatra (1938), and Central Otago (1953-56/1969).

Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist features two significant recent acquisitions made by Te Papa for the national art collection: Marjorie Marshall (1938-39/1943) is a remarkable portrait of Angus’s friend and fellow artist Marshall, set against the backdrop of Central Otago Mountains; The Aviatrix (1933) is one of Angus’s most important early works – a striking portrait of her sister Edna, the first woman pilot in the East Coast Aero Club, wearing her flying costume.

Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist’s national tour is proudly supported by Singapore Airlines. This Auckland edition is presented in association with the Auckland Arts Festival 2023 and is kindly sponsored by Murray Halberg Retirement Village with support from Lopdell Trust.