NZ artist Pat Hanly passes away today
Written by
NZ artist Pat Hanly - born 1932, Palmerston North, NZ
Passed away - September 20th, 2004
Our condolences to his wife Gil and family and his large network of friends and admirers.
Rest in Peace
Image: Bouquet for Maori Women, 1994 one of the last images painted before Pat Hanly retired.NZ artist Pat Hanly - born 1932, Palmerston North, NZ
Passed away - September 20th, 2004
Our condolences to his wife Gil and family and his large network of friends and admirers.
Rest in Peace
Image: Bouquet for Maori Women, 1994 one of the last images painted before Pat Hanly retired.Throughout his long career, Hanly juggled his need to express his response to matters of social conscience with his gift for creating paintings that convey great joyfulness. The resulting works have been, variously, political, reflective of 'the human condition' or observational, particularly of family and friends.
Elizabeth Caughey
Friends farewell much-loved artist
Battle against Huntington's over for artist Pat Hanly - NZ Herald
John Miller pays his respects
Yesterday afternoon, I visited the Hanly residence with friends Barry Lett and Brian Gregory to pay my respects. (I had with me some photos to give that I took of Pat with the artist Jake Kelliher at the latter's one-man-show in a bank office in Symonds St in 1973).
Basically, what has happened is that Tamsin's extended whanau of Maori language teaching colleagues and friends have come along in strength to support the family at this time and the Hanly residence has been virtually transformed into a marae for Pat's lying-in-state until the funeral at St Mathews in the City, at 10.30 am this coming Saturday (25th Sept).
Pat is reposing in the front bedroom surrounded by family and friends who rest on the covered mattresses and cushions which presently furnish the room. Behind the head of the coffin is a large board about 6ft x 4ft to which are attached many fine photographs of Pat at various times in his life. An arrangement of flowers is on the floor near the foot of the coffin.
We took off our shoes at the door and paid our respects to Pat and extended our condolences to Tamsin and her friends who were at his side. At this stage Gil had still not returned from her fortnight-long trip to Bali where she had been photographing and visiting with old friends Jimmy Keogh and Susan Keith.
When Gil did arrive, one of Tamsin's friends performed a Maori karanga as she entered the room and was greeted and consoled by all of us present. As she went to join Tamsin by Pat's side, us visitors retired from the room to allow her a time of privacy..
The kitchen we found to be a hive of activity, with food preparation in full swing and a various range of refreshments available for visitors. People were sitting around quietly chatting in the kitchen or in the sun along the verandah outside and numerous children were racing around and playing in the Hanly's capacious back garden. Later, Tamsin's daughter Lily arrived back from Brisbane with Leonie and the twins where they had just gone for a school holiday trip. As Leonie and the children greeted the bereaved family with Pat, a Maori gentleman in the company delivered a powhiri/speech of welcome and we all sang the Maori hymn 'Ehara I te Mea'.
Shortly after this, a group of children and teachers from the Newtown Central Primary School Rumaki Reo/Maori language class, with which Tamsin is associated, arrived and were accorded rituals of welcome similar to those described above. Today, Thursday, a group of children from nearby Kowhai Intermediate is expected to arrive to pay their respects to Pat and the family.
All through the period of time that I was present (mid afternoon to late evening) there was a steady stream of mourners who would first pay their respects to Pat and then come through to the back of the house to mix and mingle with those of us earlier arrivals. The larder is replete with provisions of food and drink as many arrivals bring their own contributions to the cause. (We handed ours to the kitchen helpers as we arrived)
I, myself, had only intended staying a couple of hours, but ended up prolonging my visit as I had left things at Barry's own house and he had to leave for awhile and didn't return to get me until the organising meeting for Saturday's funeral was held in the early evening. Here, family members and close friends retired to the sitting room to decide on the fine details of Saturday's funeral such as who will be delivering eulogies etc.
However, I was just appreciating being present at what is a truly remarkable occasion where this sad time has given rise to a fascinating nexus of this country's bicultural heritage which is creating a most uplifting and supportive environment for family and friends of Pat to mourn his passing and commemorate his life in such a positive way. I'm sure this is exactly how Pat would have wished this to be.
After the meeting, all present enjoyed a fine meal that had been prepared and anecdotes and yarns about Pat and past events were shared. Gil, who has arrived back fresh to all this, is totally amazed at how things have evolved in the household in her absence and this huge expression of support for her and the family is hopefully helping to lighten her grief.
I am just writing this account to appraise people of the progress of what I believe to be a most remarkable and sad yet uplifting time for the Hanlys and extended family and friends (and one that still has two days to traverse), and to encourage those in the Auckland area or who can travel, to join with others in visiting and offering condolences and support to Gil, Tamsin, Amber, Ben & Sue and the grandchildren.
Kia ora, John Miller