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Artistic Influencers

14 July 2023

From Rita Angus and Ngaio Marsh to Allen Curnow and Bill Hammond, learn about the artistic influencers UC is showcasing to celebrate our 150th anniversary.

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Gemma New
Gemma New

MusB 2009, MusB(Hons) 2010

Gemma New is Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New 厙ぴ勛圖Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.Sheserved for four seasons as Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra泭硃紳餃泭previously served as Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony. A former Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Conducting Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, prior to receiving the 2021prestigiousSir Georg Solti Conducting Award, she was awarded Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Photo credit: Sylvia Elzafon

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UC Legend - Rita Angus
Rita Angus

Fine Arts 1933

Considered one of the leading figures in twentieth century New 厙ぴ勛圖art, Rita Angus was a committed feminist and pacifist with her world view deeply entwined within her work. A pioneer of modern painting and perhapsbest known for her oil and watercolour portraits and artworks depicting Central Otago, Rita began her artist journey studying at the Canterbury College School of Art. Before becoming a working artist, she worked as a teacher, and illustrator for The Press. As a woman painter, I work to represent love of humanity and faith in mankind in a world, which is to me, richly viable and infinitely beautiful.

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Derek Lardelli
Sir Derek Lardelli KNZM

DipT1986, BFA 1986, MFA 2009

Sir DerekLardelli(NgtiPorou, Rongowhakaata) is regarded as one of Aotearoa New Zealands pre-eminentMaoriArtists. A leader in the revival oftmoko, he is also akapahakaexponent, composer, designer, keeper of oral and written histories and an exceptional orator. He composed theAll Blackshaka Kapa O Pango. Based in Gisborne, as Professor Ahorangi atToihoukura, School of Mori Visual Arts he has championed successful outcomes using Mori learning principles. In 2004 he received a NZ Arts Foundation Laureate, and amongst other awards and distinctions, Sir Derek was Knighted in 2020 for services to Mori Arts.

Bill Culbert
Bill Culbert MNZM

DipFA 1956, DipFA(Hons) 1958, DFA 2013

A sculptor, photographer and installation artist, BillCulbert hasenjoyed worldwide success and recognition sincehis graduation from theUCSchool of Fine Artsin 1958.Leaving New 厙ぴ勛圖at 22, Bill resided in the UK and France for most of his life.His signature art style saw him use lightand discarded objects bottles, suitcases, tables, chairs, jars in an exploration of how light and shadowinfluence the way we interpret the everyday world.He became a Member of theNew厙ぴ勛圖Order ofMeritin 2008 for his services to art.Throughout his career, Billhad more than 100 solo exhibitions and represented New 厙ぴ勛圖at the 55thVenice Biennale in 2013.

UC Legend - Dame Ngaio Marsh
Dame Ngaio Marsh DBE

LittD 1962

A writer during the golden age of detective fictionDameNgaioMarsh,knownas one of the Queens of Crime,isperhaps best known for her 32 novels about London detective, Inspector Roderick Alleyn.Her great passion was theatre, and her modernised production ofHamlet,performed bywhat isnow known asDramaSoc, was met with acclaimleadingher to form a travellingstudent theatre company.Ngaio was appointeda Damein 1966 for services to the arts.Her legacy is alive withthe Ngaio Marsh Award beingpresentedannually for thebest New 厙ぴ勛圖mystery, crime and thriller fiction,泭硃紳餃泭withthe theatre in Haere-Roa (UCSA building)alsobeingnamedin her honour.

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Gavin Bishop
Gavin Bishop ONZM

DipFA1967, Teachers College Diploma(Distinction)1968, DipFA(Hons) 1968, DEd2016

A childrenspicture bookauthor and artistof international and local reputation, Gavin Bishop has successfully published 70 books that have beentranslated into twelve languages, earning himnumerous awards including the Kingi Ihaka Award in 2018 and the Prime Ministers Award in 2019.His distinctive ink and watercolour illustrationshave seen Gavin shortlisted forNZ book awards more times than any other author of any kind.A guest lecturer at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1996, he is widely travelled and has been a guest author and speaker through UNESCO in Japan, China, Indonesia and the USA.In 2013 Gavin was appointed an Officer of the Order of Merit of New Zealand.

Maurice Hill
Dr Maurice Till

BA 1948, MA(Hons)1949, DipMus 1949, MusD 2000

In a professional career spanning 50 years,DrMauriceTillis a renowned solo pianist, accompanist and teacher. His first major concert engagement was with the New 厙ぴ勛圖Symphony Orchestra in 1951泭硃紳餃泭he hastoured extensively with world-famous artists.Known for his dedication to his students, he lectured in music at both Otago University and UC, where he becameDean ofMusic andFineArts.He wasacommitted patron of thearts,a member of the QEII Arts Council and theFoundation Chairman of the Southern Regional Arts Council.Mauriceshonours includeMember of the Most Excellent Order of theBritishEmpirein 1971 and Companion of theNZOrder ofMeritin 1999.

Teddy Rhodes
Teddy Rhodes

BCom 1990

Quickly establishing an international career on both the opera stage and concert platform, bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes has always had a love for music and performance. Crediting his years at UC as pivotal in setting him on the path to a career in music, Teddy has since performed in international opera companies across the United States, Europe and the UK. Throughout his career, Teddy has taken home an ARIA Award, two Helpmann Awards, the Limelight Award, a Green Room Award plus a MO Award (Operatic Performer of the Year). When looking at past productions and opportunities, Teddy reveals it is, A humbling experience; to be a small part of the history of a piece of music and theatre.

Allen Curnow
Allen Curnow ONZ CBE

郭勳喧喧嗨泭1975

Recognised as one of the most influential and defining voices of New 厙ぴ勛圖literature in the 20thcentury, Allen Curnows reputation as a poet and author stands to this day. Between 1937 and 1988, he published 2250 satirical (and very topical) verses in啦堯梗泭捩娶梗莽莽泭硃紳餃泭The New 厙ぴ勛圖Herald, under the penname Whim Wham. Alongside his satire, Allen published 21 volumes of poems, seven of which received New Zealands annual Book Award for Poetry. Awarded the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1988, the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1989 and theCholmondleyAward in 1992, Allen was also appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1986 and to the Order of New 厙ぴ勛圖in 1990.

Photo credit: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections: 34-81 (Clifton Firth)

Daisy Laveo-Timo
Daisy Lavea-Timo

BA 2006, BSc 2006, GradDipTchLn2010, MBA 2018

Passionate about young people and ensuring their voices are heard, Daisy Lavea-Timo is helping to ignite peoples imaginations and build social connectedness for Mori and Tagata Moana in her role as Director of Cross-Polynate. An Indigenous social change agent, she aims to enable positive youth development, aiga, and community wellbeing through equity, storytelling, and holding safe spaces for learning and ideation. A poet herself, Daisy believes, The knowledge inourSmoanlanguage and cultureisancient and deep, and orators weave genealogies, history, biblical references, and stories with complex language features and the skill toengage, educate, encourage, entertain and enlighten audiencesin aV-space where time suspends.

Photo credit: Joseph O'Sullivan

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Doreen Blumhardt
Doreen Blumhardt ONZ DNZM CBE

Christchurch Training College 1939

A passionate ceramist and arts educator, Dame Doreen Blumhardt was one of the most important figures inNew Zealands arts and crafts world.In 1957 she was one of 15 potters invited to show in New Zealands first national pottery exhibition, before co-founding theNew 厙ぴ勛圖Potter Magazinein 1958.Widely exhibited andina life crowded with achievement, Doreen used her role in the New 厙ぴ勛圖arts communitytocreatetheBlumhardt Foundationin 2003,supporting泭硃紳餃泭nurturingthe collection and development of craft/object art in NZ.In 2007, Doreen wasmade a member of New Zealands highest honour, the Order of New Zealand.

Louise Henderson
Dame Louise Henderson DBE

DipFA 1931

Born in France,DameLouiseHendersonemigrated and settled in Canterbury when she was 23 yearsold.Relishing the freedom and opportunities afforded to her here,Louise was attracted to the natural and urban landscapes she is still known for depicting today.By the mid-20thcentury, Louise wasdisruptingthe arts scene in Aotearoa by utilising a distinctively international and modernist style.Well-travelled, Louise painted throughout the world including back in her native France, Lebanon and Iraq. She was an active painter well into her eighties and ayear before her death in 1994, she was appointeda Dame (DBE)forher services to art.

Bill Hammond
Bill Hammond

Studied towards Fine Arts 1969

Born in 1947, BillHammondstudied at theIlamSchool of Fine Arts at UC from 1966 until 1969.He started his career making wooden toys, signs, and jewellery before finding success as the artist we know today. Tackling social and environmental issues, Hammond was considered one of New Zealand's most influential contemporary painters. Hammond passed away in 2021, leaving an incredible legacy for future generations to enjoy.One of his best-known works,Fall of Icarus, is displayed at the Christchurch Art GalleryTePuna oWaiwhet贖.

Photo Credit: Christchurch City Libraries. CCL-StarP-04311A

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