Between the Lives: Partners in Art (Paperback)

Deborah Shepard

ISBN 10: 1869403339 / ISBN 13: 9781869403331

Published by Auckland University Press, Auckland, 2005

Paperback. Between the Lives: Partners in Art is a fascinating book about artists who are also intimate partners. It takes nine well-known New Zealand couples and explores many aspects of their lives but particularly how the partnership affects the art they produce. Written by perceptive and knowledgeable writers but never narrowly academic, it combines the pleasures of gossip with illuminating information about how these artists have conducted their lives. In presenting the work in this unusual context the nine writers cast fresh light on paintings, poems and films and make a significant contribution to our understanding of how art has been produced in this country. Repeated themes are the situation of women and the strains of producing serious art in a small and isolated country. There are also contrasts, which are equally striking, as different couples have negotiated their own ways of accommodating two powerful creative talents. The partners include the Hanlys, McCahons, Siddells, Hodgkins and Richmond, Baxters, Smithymans, Haywards, Woollastons, Campbells -- nine painters, six poets, two filmmakers and a photographer. The accompanying images, selected by the writers, powerfully enhance and extend the insights of the texts. This fascinating look at artists and their intimate partners takes nine well-known New Zealand couples and explores the many aspects of their lives—particularly how the presence of an artistic companion or soul mate impacts the art they produce. Combining the pleasures of gossip with information about how these artists have conducted their lives, this illuminates many of the themes found in the artists' paintings, poems, and films that revolve around their partners and the strains of producing serious art in a small and isolated country. The couples include Gil and Pat Hanly, Colin and Anne McCahon, Sylvia and Peter Siddell, Frances Hodgkins and D. K. Richmond, James K. Baxter and Jacquie Sturm, Kendrick Smithyman and Mary Stanley, Rudall and Ramai Hayward, Toss and Edith Woollaston, and Meg and Alister te Ariki Campbell. All told, nine painters, six poets, two filmmakers, and a photographer are included. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781869403331

Synopsis:

This fascinating look at artists and their intimate partners takes nine well-known New Zealand couples and explores the many aspects of their lives—particularly how the presence of an artistic companion or soul mate impacts the art they produce. Combining the pleasures of gossip with information about how these artists have conducted their lives, this illuminates many of the themes found in the artists' paintings, poems, and films that revolve around their partners and the strains of producing serious art in a small and isolated country. The couples include Gil and Pat Hanly, Colin and Anne McCahon, Sylvia and Peter Siddell, Frances Hodgkins and D. K. Richmond, James K. Baxter and Jacquie Sturm, Kendrick Smithyman and Mary Stanley, Rudall and Ramai Hayward, Toss and Edith Woollaston, and Meg and Alister te Ariki Campbell. All told, nine painters, six poets, two filmmakers, and a photographer are included.

About the Author: Deborah Shepard is the author of Reframing Women: A History of New Zealand Film.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Between the Lives: Partners in Art (...
Publisher: Auckland University Press, Auckland
Publication Date: 2005
Binding: Paperback
Condition: new