Agnes Wood

Agnes Wood
Born
Agnes Rosetta Eady

(1921-05-26)26 May 1921
Died12 December 2013(2013-12-12) (aged 92)
Auckland, New Zealand
Alma materElam School of Fine Arts
Spouse
Edward Phillip Wood
​
​
(m. 1944; died 1986)​
RelativesAlfred Eady (father)

Agnes Rosetta Wood (née Eady, 26 May 1921 – 12 December 2013) was a New Zealand artist and writer.[1] She is known for her research and writing on the life of fellow New Zealand artist Colin McCahon.[2]

Early life and family

Born Agnes Rosetta Eady on 26 May 1921, Wood was the daughter of Lewis Alfred Eady, a music retailer, and Agnes Amelia Eady (née Adams).[3][4][5] On 2 December 1944, she married Edward Phillip Wood at the Congregational Church in Beresford Street, Auckland.[4]

Career

Wood initially trained and worked as a milliner but later studied at the Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland, graduating with a master's degree in 1973, aged 52. As a student there she was influenced by her tutors Robert Ellis and Colin McCahon, and her early work explored the structures and patterns of cityscapes.[6][7] Her figurative paintings, which often depict geometrical portraits on abstract backgrounds, frequently feature figures wearing hats, headpieces or simplified floral headbands — a probable result of her previous training in millinery.[6]

In 1997, Wood published Colin McCahon: The Man and the Teacher, which was based on correspondence and interviews with McCahon.[8][9]

In 2009, an 88th birthday exhibition of Wood's work was held in Auckland.[10] Paintings by Wood are held in the collections of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and the University of Auckland.[11][12]

Death

Wood died in Auckland on 12 December 2013, and her body was cremated at Purewa Crematorium.[1][13]

References

  1. ^ a b "Agnes Rosetta Wood". Legacy.com. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Agnes Wood (1921–2013) New Zealand". www.artrecord.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Death search: registration number 2013/31404". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Air force wedding". New Zealand Herald. 4 December 1944. p. 2. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  5. ^ Hercock, Fay. "Eady, Lewis Alfred". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Agnes Wood – artist biography and artworks available to buy". Remuera Gallery. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Winter catalogue 2012" (PDF). Warwick Henderson Gallery. July 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  8. ^ Wood, Agnes (1997). Colin McCahon: The Man and the Teacher. David Ling. ISBN 9780908990450.
  9. ^ "Colin McCahon files" (PDF). Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Agnes Wood 88th birthday exhibition". Eventfinda. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  11. ^ "Agnes Wood". Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Untitled". University of Auckland Art Collection. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Burial & cremation details". Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium. Retrieved 14 August 2017.