art.wikisort.org - Artist

Elizabeth Jamaux Curnow (née Le Cren; 31 October 1911 – 24 September 2005), commonly known as Betty Curnow, was a New Zealand artist.

Betty Curnow
Born	Betty Jamaux Le Cren (1911-10-31)31 October 1911 Timaru, New Zealand
Died	24 September 2005(2005-09-24) (aged 93) Geraldine, New Zealand
Known for	Painting
Spouse	Allen Curnow ​ ​ (m. 1936; div. 1965)​
Relatives	Wystan Curnow (son)

Background

Born in Timaru, New Zealand, Curnow was the daughter of Charles John Le Cren and Daisy Le Cren (née Roberts). Daisy was also an artist, painting watercolours.[1] Curnow died in Geraldine, New Zealand, in 2005.[2][3] She married Allen Curnow at St Mary's Church, Timaru, on 26 August 1936.[4] The marriage was dissolved in 1965, but they had a daughter and two sons, one of whom is New Zealand poet and art critic Wystan Curnow.[5]

Career

Curnow was a painter and printmaker. She exhibited with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts,[6][7] and 'The Group'[8] in 1964[9]

She is depicted in her close friend Rita Angus' painting, Portrait of Betty Curnow.[10][11] Curnow and Angus collaborated on the painting, selected clothing and objects that would best symbolise the threads of Curnow's life as a daughter, wife and mother.[12] The work also inspired Louise Henderson's Portrait of Betty Curnow.[13]

Works by Curnow are held in the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.[3]

References

Further reading

Artist files for Curnow are held at:

• E. H. McCormick Research Library, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
• Robert and Barbara Stewart Library and Archives, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
• Fine Arts Library, University of Auckland
• Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hākena
• Te Aka Matua Research Library, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Also see:

• Concise Dictionary of New Zealand Artists McGahey, Kate (2000) Gilt Edge
• Prints and Printmakers in New Zealand Peter Cape (1974) Collins

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