By Jill Trevelyan
Te Papa Press, NZ$69.95 | Reviewed by Jodi Ruth Keet

WHILST this book is a posthumous biography of an artist’s life, its 349 pages delve into much more than just an artist’s work and her story. An Artist’s Life depicts Angus and her work during a time in New Zealand when women were expected to be wives and mothers, divorce was socially unacceptable, a world war was raging, a young country was trying to find its roots independent from Britain, art was expected to be just a hobby, and a New Zealand art world was trying to emerge. Angus rebelled against this stereotype, not only by being an artist, but by being a childless single woman, divorcee, pacifist, and proud New Zealander. An Artist’s Life with its well researched background and quoted letters from Angus to her contemporaries (Colin McCahon, Toss Wollaston and Douglas Lilburn being a few) asks questions about our culture that we are only beginning to be able to answer today, thus making this biography, perhaps, perfectly timed.

Issues 1-4, NZ$19.95 each
thenationalgrid.co.nz | Reviewed by Andy Palmer

The National Grid first appeared in March 2006, and is now up to issue four. The publication declares itself to be either “a peripheral publication for graphic design”, “a provincial publication for graphic design”, “a paranoid publication for graphic design”, or “a frail barricade for graphic design” – depending on which issue you have.

Harvey Benge photographs;
Introduction by Gerry Badger
Godwit/RH, NZ$44.95 | Reviewed by Andy Palmer

THE IDEA is an interesting one. Unfortunately the result is less so. A Short History Of Photography aims to be a... short history of photography – specifically a short history of contemporary art photography from the 1960s on. Looking at the names on the cover, it’s a reasonable list of the more influential photographers of the last few decades (plus a couple of names I didn’t know). Where this book falls down is in the application of the its conceit.

Michael Hirschfeld Gallery
May 2-June 8 | Reviewed by Thomasin Sleigh

Etiquette for the Homesick is a great name for an exhibition. The show combines the work of Massey graduates Caroline McQuarrie and Genevieve Packer under the curatorial premise of the ‘darker face’ of the decorative arts. It has a great catalogue essay by Abby Cunnane and the work in the show is strong.