Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist | He Ringatoi Hou o Aotearoa brings together selected works by one of New Zealand’s most iconic 20th century artists, Rita Angus (1908–1970).

This iteration of the exhibition presents 18 paintings from Te Papa alongside works from the Hocken Library, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Eastern Southland Gallery.

The paintings span Angus’s life and career as an artist, drawing out the themes of pacifism, feminism and nature that shaped so much of her work. This exhibition includes many of Angus’s most important works, including Rutu, 1951, Cleopatra, 1938, and Central Otago, 1953-56/1969. It will also feature two significant recent acquisitions by Te Papa. Marjorie Marshall (1938-39/1943) is a remarkable portrait of Angus’s friend and fellow artist Marshall, set against the backdrop of Central Otago mountains. The Aviatrix (1933) is one of Angus’s most important early works – a striking portrait of her sister Edna, the first woman pilot in the East Coast Aero Club, wearing her flying costume.

Developed and toured by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

The exhibition runs from 10am Sat 12 October – Sat 07 December 2024. Hocken opening hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed public holidays.

Rita Angus, Central Otago, 1953-56/1969, oil on canvas. Gift of Douglas Lilburn, 1972.
© Reproduced courtesy of the Estate of Rita Angus. Te Papa (1972-0030-1)