Frances Hodgkins: A Personal Perspective

Four years in the making, the exhibition, Frances Hodgkins – A Personal Perspective, scheduled to open at Jonathan Grant Gallery in November 2022, will feature a collection of original watercolours and gouaches by Frances Hodgkins. The exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive research catalogue with essays by Mary Kisler and Jonathan Gooderham, Director of Jonathan Grant Gallery.

With a career that spans 56 years, Hodgkins was one of the foremost artists of her generation. During her time overseas she not only garnered knowledge of traditional artistic styles but forged her own, thus becoming one of New Zealand’s leading expatriate artists. 

This exhibition features 16 works dating from 1902 to 1988, including several works from her close circle of friends and contemporaries. These works highlight not only Hodgkins’ immense significance within the history of New Zealand art, but also her contribution to the oeuvre of other artists such as Arthur Lett-Haines, Maud Burge and Eve Disher.

The exhibition includes works that are being shown in New Zealand for the first time, in particular Girl Seated on a Chair c.1927 – defined by Hodgkins’ vigorous brushstrokes and bold use of colour. All of the paintings featured in this exhibition carry with them extensive provenance histories; each work researched, painting locations verified and in the some cases visit by gallery Director, Jonathan Gooderham. Where possible the original frames have been preserved, along with exhibition labels which all add to the significance of the works.

This is the fifth catalogue exhibition on the work and life of Frances Hodgkins presented by Jonathan Grant Gallery. These exhibitions along with the launch of a dedicated research website, franceshodgkins.com, mark the commitment and three decade long pursuit of furthering the knowledge and promotion of one of New Zealand’s leading 20th century artists.