Betty Curnow

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

Background[]

Born in Timaru, New Zealand, Curnow was the daughter of Charles John Le Cren and (née Roberts). Daisy was also an artist, painting watercolours.^[1] Curnow died in Geraldine, New Zealand, in 2005.^[2][3] She was married to Allen Curnow, although the marriage was dissolved in 1965; they had a daughter and two sons, one of whom is New Zealand poet and art critic Wystan Curnow.^[4]

Career[]

Curnow was a painter and printmaker. She exhibited with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts,^[5][6] and 'The Group'^[7] in 1964^[8]

She is depicted in her close friend Rita Angus' painting, Portrait of Betty Curnow.^[9][10] 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.^[11] The work also inspired Louise Henderson's, Portrait of Betty Curnow.^[12]

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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