Story: Light

‘Figures in light 9’ (1st of 2)

‘Figures in light 9’

In the 1960s art critics commonly attributed the character of New Zealand painting to New Zealand light. A prominent painter who accepted this viewpoint was the Auckland artist Pat Hanly. When he returned from a period abroad, he made the strong lines and dark shadows of New Zealand central to his series of ‘Figures in light’. Many of these paintings draw on the shapes created by people lying on the beach in the sun.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Oil painting by Patrick Hanly

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Courtesy of Hanly family trust.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Light - Light and the arts', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/7732/figures-in-light-9 (accessed 23 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006