Robert Ellis (artist)
| Robert Ellis | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1929 Northampton, England |
| Alma mater | Royal College of Art |
| Known for | Painter |
| Movement | Modernism |
Robert Ellis is a New Zealand painter and artist known for paintings that tackle social, cultural and environmental themes. Born in Northampton, England, Ellis attended the Royal College of Art in London before completing his national service in a photography unit of the Royal Air Force in the 1950s.[1] Ellis came to Auckland in 1957 where he began teaching at Elam School of Fine Arts and continued until 1994, retiring as an Emeritus Professor.[2]
Ellis has been described as one of "New Zealand's pre-eminent artists" and he has held more than 60 solo exhibitions in New Zealand and around the world.[3]
His landscape paintings address themes of urbanisation, subdivision and colonisation. An Auckland Art Gallery senior curator describes Ellis place in modern New Zealand art; "As a major figure, Ellis' art addresses many cultural issues. His subjects range over tensions between transport and urbanism, contrast ecology with spirituality and look at the on-going nature of Māori-Pākehā relations."[4]
External links
- Cultural Icons – Robert Ellis – A wide ranging discussion on Ellis's childhood, time at art school and career.
- Turangawaewae – A Place to Stand – Ellis talks about his career as a painter and life in New Zealand.
References
- ↑ McNamara, TJ (23 August 2014). "Looking down at the city". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- ↑ "Robert Ellis". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- ↑ "Robert Ellis". Milford Galleries Dunedin. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- ↑ "Friends of Gallery gift important artwork in first-time exhibition of paintings by senior Auckland artist". Auckland Art Gallery. 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2015.