McCahon House Heritage Festival Talks
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Heritage Talks at McCahon House
During the 1950's Colin McCahon lived in French Bay, Titirangi. The home he lived in is open to the public as a House Museum. The award winning renovation features images and information including dozens of interviews
with McCahon himself, his family and his contemporaries.
The House is a highly characteristic example of the kind of dwelling that was very common half a century ago in places like Titirangi but which seldom survive in original condition today.
Jacqueline Amoamo revisits French Bay, Sunday 6 October, 11am
Jacqueline Amoamo and her husband Tairongo purchased the McCahon cottage in
1960. Through the years they tried to keep its appearance close to the original. Jacqueline lived there until 1998 when the cottage and adjoining land were bought by Waitakere City Council. Formerly a journalist at the
Listener for 30 years, Jacqueline will talk about interesting visitors, unusual residents and unexpected events at French Bay during the 1960s and 70s.
Colin McCahon’s Kauri with Peter Simpson Sunday 13 October ,11am
Kauri have come to be an iconic image representing the heritage of New Zealand. Early painters captured the immense majesty of kauri both as singular giants and as mighty forest. In the 1950’s artist Colin McCahon
was also captivated by the Kauri in the regenerating bush surrounding his home in Titirangi. The power, mystery and shapes of the towering kauri were to become a key motif in his work during that era.
Please join us in the contemporary Artist Studio beside the Heritage Cottage that was the home of Colin McCahon to hear arts historian Peter Simpson, author of Colin McCahon: The Titirangi Years 1953-59 and other
books on McCahon give an illustrated talk about the numerous paintings and drawings of kauri. There are over 50 McCahon works with kauri in the title - a group remarkable for its range and variety of subject and style - made during the historically important years McCahon and his family lived in French Bay, Titirangi.
The Museum House is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am – 3pm.
Or groups by request.
Entry: Suggested Donation $5 per adult.