1954, Colin McCahon: Prophet painter

Colin McCahon pioneered a new contemporary form of New Zealand painting and is regarded as one of our most important artists.

Our New Zealander of the year for 1954 is Colin McCahon - who was to become the most influential artist in country. He began producing work which featured written words, most famously "I AM".

His work is highly prized by collectors. One 1959 painting - He Calls for Elias - was sold at auction in 2011 for $571,875.

But the true value of art is not calibrated in dollars and cents but in cultural influence and by this standard there has been no greater painter in New Zealand than McCahon.

Summing up his career, Herald art critic T.J. McNamara wrote that he was instrumental in helping New Zealand painters to gain confidence in themselves and their work after the artistic desert of the 1920s and 1930s.

Colin McCahon - I Am, 1954. (Hocken collections Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago. NZ Herald Archive)

But McCahon was also controversial and often misunderstood.

"When the Government of New Zealand presented Australia with a great religious I AM painting the gift aroused controversy on both sides of the Tasman," said McNamara.

"The aspect of his work that puzzled many was the way he used words as part of his painting.

"The words were part of his message about the need for enlightenment and prophecy and the way he painted them was in keeping with his visionary purpose."

In nominating the top 20 New Zealanders of the 20th century the Herald said he "captured the essence of who we are as New Zealanders, one of the most innovative and important painters of religious art in modern times, profoundly influenced by taha Maori".

Further reading:
Biography of Colin McCahon, Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

'Biography of Colin McCahon', Te Papa Museum of New Zealand

'Colin McCahon', Colin McCahon House online

Further viewing
'Colin McCahon: I Am', Documentary, NZ On Screen, 2004