Centenary Art Trail
'Self-portrait 1949-50, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (1968-0027-1)
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, bought 1985 NZ Lottery Board funds (1985-0027-1)
Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid (1922-2020) was an acclaimed New Zealand expatriate painter, known for his diverse work and mastery of colour. He forged an international career from Paris, where he lived most of his adult life. Douglas travelled widely, exhibiting regularly in France, as well as England, USA, Morocco, Greece, and also held 41 solo shows in New Zealand during his long career. His work hangs in collections across the globe.
The MacDiarmid Centenary Art Trail connects the public galleries and art entities throughout New Zealand, showing some or all of their MacDiarmid paintings in each location as a shared tribute around the 100th anniversary of Douglas' birth in Taihape on 14 November 1922.
This commemorative map has been created as a lasting reference to where Douglas' work can be found in his homeland, and as a keepsake to mark the occasion and share significant places. Printed copies are available at participating locations.
EXHIBITIONS + GALLERY LIST
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - NOVEMBER 2022
Download a printable calendar(in PDF format)
EXHIBITIONS ON NOW
| Dates + Times | Location of Event | Event Information | Links | More Links | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May-Nov 2022 Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm | WELLINGTON Alexander Turnbull Library, 1st Floor, 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington | An intimate hanging ‘20th Century New Zealand Authors and Writers’ in the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room, with Douglas MacDiarmid Self Portrait 1944 flanked by 5 portraits of friends & peers. A number of the Turnbull’s MacDiarmid works are also digitised on their website. Visits by appointment via website ‘Ask a Librarian https://natlib.govt.nz/questions/new | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 0800 474 300 |
MACDIARMID CENTENARY ART TRAIL EVENTS - NORTH ISLAND
| Dates + Times | Location of Event | Event Information | Links | More Links | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Oct-27 Nov 22 Daily 10am-5pm | PALMERSTON NORTH Te Manawa Museum of Art and Heritage, 326 Main Road, Palmerston North | A celebration of artistic diversity - the Gallery's nine paintings offset by seven paintings selected from private collections | WEBSITE | Ph +64 6 355 5000 | |
| 1 Nov-4 Dec 22 Tues-Sun 10am-4pm | MASTERTON Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, 12 Bruce Street, Masterton | A Centenary showing of the collection's nine MacDiarmid works. Potential art talk TBC | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 06 370 0001 |
| 2 Nov 22 Time TBA | AUCKLAND Te Tuhi Arts Centre, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland | Writer, Season Gallery co-owner and Fletcher Trust curator Francis McWhannell discusses the MacDiarmid and Lilburn connection at Te Tuhi in the lead up to Douglas' centenary | WEBSITE | Ph 09 577 0138 | |
| 1 Nov-4 Dec 22 Tues-Sun 10am-4pm | MASTERTON Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, 12 Bruce Street, Masterton | A Centenary showing of the collection's nine MacDiarmid works. | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 06 370 0001 |
| 11 Nov 22 12 noon | MASTERTON Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, 12 Bruce Street, Masterton | Artist Talk by MacDiarmid's biographer Anna Cahill | EVENT LINK | WEBSITE | Ph 06 370 0001 |
| 13 Nov 22 2pm-3pm | PALMERSTON NORTH Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and Heritage, 326 Main Street Palmerston North Central | Personal recollections on the eve of Douglas' Centenary: cousins Stuart MacDiarmid and biographer Anna MacDiarmid Cahill share their experiences of an unforgettable man. | WEBSITE | Ph 06 355 5000 | |
| 14-Nov-22 | 100th anniversary of Douglas MacDiarmid's birth in Taihape - 24 Huia Street | ||||
| 14 Nov 22 4pm-6pm | WELLINGTON Victoria University, Milk and Honey Cafe Gate 3, 21 Kelburn Parade, Wellington | Centenary Book Launch Letters to Lilburn ' Douglas MacDiarmid's conversations from the heart with author Anna Cahill, three generations of MacDiarmids, and special guests painter Piera McArthur and pianist Margaret Nielsen, both old friends of the painter. RSVP details TBA | WEBSITE | Ph 04 463 5489 | |
| 16 Nov 22 6pm-7.30pm | AUCKLAND Takapuna Library, Level 1, Angela Morton Room, 9 The Strand, Takapuna | Centenary Book Launch Letters to Lilburn Douglas MacDiarmid's conversations from the heart with author Anna Cahill, three generations of MacDiarmids, guest speaker Francis McWhannell, and Mary Egan Publishing. | EMAIL to RSVP | Ph 09 890 4924 | |
| 18 Nov 22 2pm-4pm | AUCKLAND University of Auckland, Old Government House lounge, 24 Princes Street (northern end of the city campus) | Official opening University's November tribute exhibition of MacDiarmid work, with Douglas’ biographer Anna Cahill, three generations of MacDiarmids, and guest speakers | Ph 09 923 6000 | ||
| All month. Wednesdays to Saturdays 1pm-5pm | AUCKLAND Auckland Art Gallery, Wellesley Street East, Auckland Central | Look for a glass cabinet of MacDiarmid memorabilia in the Mezzanine floor of the library, and a special Centenary feature article by art historian Associate Professor Linda Tyler in the gallery's Art Toi magazine | COLLECTION | Ph 09 379 1349 | |
| All month Daily 8am-7pm | AUCKLAND University of Auckland, Old Government House lounge, 24 Princes Street, Auckland | The University's eclectic MacDiarmid works from around the campus exhibited in one spot | COLLECTION | Ph 09 923 6000 | |
| All month Daily 10am-5pm | HAMILTON, Waikato Museum, 1 Grantham Street, Hamilton Central | The museum's MacDiarmid work, a 1948 watercolour of the landmark Ngaruawahia Band Rotunda on display | WEBSITE | Ph 07 838 6606 | |
| 29 Oct-11 Dec Daily 10.30am-4.30pm | WHANGANUI, Sarjeant Gallery, 38 Taupo Quay, Whanganui | The gallery's collection of 14 MacDiarmid works including 'The Whanganui' river series - on show at Sarjeant on the Quay. Potential artist talk TBC | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 06 349 0506 |
| All month Daily 9am-5pm | TAIHAPE Taihape Public Library and Information Centre, 102 Hautapu Street, Taihape Daily 9am-5pm | Commemorative hometown display of books and MacDiarmid memorabilia in the town's temporary library | Ph +640 6 388 0604 | ||
| 10 Oct - 7 Nov | TAIHAPE | A Rangitikei community art competition 'in the style of Douglas MacDiarmid' with over $500 in prizemoney. Organised by Taihape & District Historical and Museum Society to celebrate the centenary of Douglas' birth in the town. Next time you are in Taihape, check also for the main street Heritage Plaque installation, for Douglas' inclusion as a notable local | |||
| All month Mon-Wed 8am-4pm; Thurs-Fri 8am till late | WELLINGTON Victoria University, Milk and Honey Cafe, Gate 3, 21 Kelburn Parade, Wellington | The university's five MacDiarmid paintings are colouring the walls of the cafe in November Mon-Wed 8am-4pm; Thurs-Fri 8am till late | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 04 463 5489 |
| 16 November, 2pm | WELLINGTON The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington Central | A rare opportunity - Te Papa is offering anniversary back of house tours for up to three groups, by arrangement on Wednesday 16 November, to show a selection of their MacDiarmid oil paintings and works on paper. BOOKINGS REQUIRED | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 04 381 7000 |
| All month Daily 9.30am-4.30pm | WELLINGTON New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Lambton Quay, Wellington Central | The Parliamentary art collection's two MacDiarmid paintings on display in the Visitor Centre throughout November | WEBSITE | Ph 04 817 9503 | |
| All month Daily 10am-4.30pm | WELLINGTON New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Shed 11, 60 Lady Elizabeth Lane, Wellington waterfront | An exclusive Centenary tribute of a never-before exhibited MacDiarmid self-portrait, 'Last Night in New Zealand' 2001 | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 04 472 2298 |
MACDIARMID CENTENARY ART TRAIL EVENTS - SOUTH ISLAND
| Dates + Times | Location of Event | Event Information | Links | More Links | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All month Daily 9.30am-4.30pm | NELSON, The Suter Gallery 208 Bridge Street, Nelson | Two MacDiarmid paintings displayed in the Contemplation Gallery for the month. Potential artist talk Tuesday 22 November TBC | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 03 548 4699 |
| 14 Nov - 11 Dec 22 Daily 10am-5pm; Wed to 9pm | CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch Art Gallery Cnr Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street Christchurch Central | A selection of the gallery's eight MacDiarmid works on view on 1st floor balcony | COLLECTION | WEBSITE | Ph 03 941 7300 |
| All month BOOKINGS | CHRISTCHURCH Ngaio Marsh House & Heritage Trust, 37 Valley Road, Cashmere | View MacDiarmid's �Still Life' (Flowers in wine glass)� 1953 in the crime writing queen�s bedroom by appointment. Admission fee | WEBSITE | Ph 03 337 9248 | |
| All month Daily 10am-4pm; Wed to 7pm | ASHBURTON Ashburton Art Gallery, 327 West Street, Ashburton | Douglas' striking 'Window Winter 1967 (Chalautre) on display for the anniversary. Potential artist talk TBC | WEBSITE | Ph 03 308 1133 | |
| All month Tues-Fri 10am-4pm; Sat-Sun 12 noon-4pm | TIMARU Aigantighe Art Gallery, 49 Wai-iti Road, Timaru | The gallery's semi-abstract landscape 'Puyricard II' 1973 - a study of Douglas' favourite mountain Mont Sainte-Victoire in Provence on display | WEBSITE | Ph 03 688 4424 | |
| 14-30 Nov 22 BOOKINGS | TIMARU Timaru Boys� High School, 211 North Street, Timaru | View the school's MacDiarmid painting 'Hand game ' till Night' 1990 by appointment in the Memorial Library. Douglas boarded at the school from 1936-39 | WEBSITE | Ph 03 687 7560 | |
| DATE TBC 24 or 25 Nov | TIMARU Timaru Boys� High School Memorial Library, 211 North Street, Timaru | Illustrated talk and Q&A on Douglas MacDiarmid by the painter�s biographer Anna Cahill | WEBSITE | Ph 03 687 7560 | |
| All month BOOKINGS Tues-Sat 10am-3pm | DUNEDIN University of Otago Hocken Collections, 90 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin | Hocken Collections are always happy to show the MacDiarmid artworks in their storerooms by appointment. The largest public collection of Douglas� work in New Zealand, with 130 paintings in its research archives. | WEBSITE | Ph 03 479 8868 | |
| All month Daily 10am-5pm | DUNEDIN Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 30 The Octagon, Dunedin | The gallery's four MacDiarmid paintings form a tribute display | WEBSITE | Ph 03 474 3240 |
ONLINE ARTWORKS
NOTE: Please be aware that not all paintings are on display at some locations. There are a few public collections of Douglas MacDiarmid paintings which are online only, or unavailable to view during the 100th anniversary. These are noted in the online calendar (below) and in the Calendar of Events where applicable.
| Online Exhibitions | Links | |
|---|---|---|
| The Wallace Arts Trust, Auckland | Three paintings online | COLLECTION |
| Fletcher Trust Collection, Auckland | Two paintings online | COLLECTION |
| Auckland Art Gallery | One painting online | COLLECTION |
| The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt | One painting online. The Dowse Art Museum’s five MacDiarmid works are currently unavailable due to storeroom refurbishment but can be viewed by appointment from the end of 2013. | COLLECTION |
SPECIAL INTEREST LOCATIONS
| Special Interest Locations | ||
|---|---|---|
| WELLINGTON, Wadestown | Douglas’ 1949-50 Wellington flat at 7 Grosvenor Terrace, Wadestown will be AirBnB accommodation again from 2023 | |
| TAIHAPE, 24 Huia Street | Douglas childhood home operates as boutique bed and breakfast accommodation |