Three new books about New Zealand art

The Invention of New Zealand: Art and National Identity, 1930-1970
Francis Pound
Auckland University Press
RRP $75.00

Towards a Promised Land: On the life and art of Colin McCahon
Gordon H Brown
Auckland University Press
RRP79.99

Art That Moves: The Work of Len Lye
Roger Horrocks
Auckland University Press
RRP &59.99

Three major art books have come out in the last few months which provide an insight into how the visual arts in New Zealand developed in the mid to late twentieth century.

Roger Horrock’s book on Len Lye, Gordon Brown’s on Colin McCahon and Francis Pound’s overview of the cultural scene from the 1930s to the 1970’s are books which will help glue togerther our knowledge of why artists like Len Lye, Colin McCahon, Gordon Walters and more recently Richard Killeen and John Reynolds have been so important to the visual arts culture.

With over 900 pages and 400 images as well as a DVD of Len Lye’s films they are an invaluable; resource for anyone interested in our cultural development

Francis Pound’s The Invention of New Zealand is a major overview of the drive for nationalism in twentieth-century New Zealand art. He looks at artists from the 1930’s through to the 1970’s including Toss Woollaston, Colin McCahon, Rita Angus as well as writers such as Alan Curnow and Charles Brasch. He examines the way in which they attempted to construct a national identity, searching for the notion of a New Zealand culture.

One of the premises he works from is a quote from Alan Curnow, who in 1945 noted that, “Strictly speaking New Zealand doesn’t exist yet, though some possible New Zealands glimmer in some poems and in some canvasses. It remains to be created – should I say invented – by writers musicians, artists, architects and publishers; even a politician might help.”

Pound traces the development of this nationalist concept through to the 1970’s where it starts to change and the culture is more influenced by overseas art and ideas.

The book is a massive read but it offers many insights into the art of last century as well as today. One has to stop reading occasionally to reflect on how Pounds ideas encompass the art of today.

Gordon Brown has been one of the most perceptive art historians we have had and his writings on Colin McCahon which span more than forty years have provided a great insight into the art and the life of the artist.

Having been a confidante of McCahon he is one of the few people who can write about the man in a way which sees the interaction of the artist’s life and thought on his paintings.

In his latest book “Towards a Promised Land“ the author has elaborated on ten essays which he had previously written for publication or a gallery talks addressing a number a separate issues..

The book traces McCahons life and work, from his student days in Dunedin, through his connections with Toss Woollaston his working life, his various studios and his involvement with the theatre

There are chapters about the autobiographical nature of the artist’s work as well as explanations of the artist’s use of numerals and words.

It is a book which manages to shed light on the artist in as straightforward and incisive manner adding to the author’s previous works on McCahon.

One of the few major artists who does not get into the Pound book is Len Lye who made an impact on New Zealand art but much later in the century.

Lye had a life long interest in movement and this is seen in his early avant garde films and kinetic sculptures. It can also be seen in his lesser known paintings and photography.

He believed that movement could be the basis for a completely new kind of art - and he devoted much of his life to it. ‘Kinetic art is the first new category of art since pre-history,’ he once said. Roger Horrocks, who has previously written about the artist, explores the artist’s originality and the relevance of his ideas today in his new book Art That Moves: The Work of Len Lye.

Lye’s ‘big idea’ illuminates not only his own work but the ‘mystery of movement’ in all forms of art - from dance to film - and in our own lives. Horrocks traces these connections and tells us much that is new about Lye, including behind-the-scenes information about how the artist dreamed up and applied his new methods of film-making and created his kinetic sculptures. He also covers the remarkable story of how Lye’s unfinished projects are being built in New Zealand today and the controversy this has sometimes aroused.

Art that Moves includes a DVD with four of Lye’s best films and some unique film (directed by Shirley Horrocks) of his sculpture in action. It also contains a new eighteen-minute film directed by Roger Horrocks, a dramatic portrait of Lye in his early years.