Robert Ellis 2014

Robert Ellis ONZM is one of the pre-eminent artist in New Zealand with a career extending over 65 years. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Art, London and began exhibiting his work publicaly during that time. He served for two years in the RAF Royal Air Force as a photograher with 3 Group Bomber Command. He taught for several years at the Yeovil School of Art beofre taking up a senor lecturship at the Elam School of Fine Arts, the University of Auckland in 1957. He was awarded a personal chair at the University and retired as an Emeritus Professor in 1994. During those years he held over 60 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group show.

This book is a series of stories about the life and creative works of a prolific artist in Aotearoa New Zealand and his relationship with people and places, Maori and Pakeha (European), the land, both urban and rural.

The book has 312 pages, and there are 230 stunning images of his paintings, complemented by his prints, medallions, stained glass windows, a magnificent tapestry and bound together with intimate photographs of his family and friends. The sheer volume of artworks included in the book, speak for themselves. Many of them have not been seen in public for years, if not decades and the authors are grateful to the many collectors, both public and private, who opened their doors to be part of this project.

His long time friend Hamish Keith writes about Robert’s experiences of New Zealand within an artistic context. An essay by his wife Elizabeth and daughters Hana and Ngarino describes his relationsip with Maroi and provides a greater understanding of the issues he confronts in his paintings. Included are critical reviews of Robert’s changing work from the time of his first New Zealand exhibition at the Auckland Society of Arts (ASA) in 1959 to present.

This is a uniquely bicultural art book and offers a fascinating slice of the art history of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Book launch at Auckland Art Gallery with retrospective exhibition of his works 2014

Production & Design - Mei Ling Lee

Publisher - Ron Sang Publications

Essays - Hamish Keith, Ian Sinclair, Elizabeth Ellis, Hana Ellis, Ngarino Ellis

Contributions - Stephen Higginson, Tasha Haines

Te Reo Editors - Dr Patu Hohepa & Marara Te Tai Hook

300 x 300mm hardcover with French-fold jacket
312 pages with 3 foldouts
250 full colour plates of his paintings, prints, medallions, stained glass windows and a magnificent tapestry
120 photographs of family & friends

Standard Edition - 150gsm paper - Te Rawhiti V 1974 on cover (Motorways)

Collectors' Edition - 170gsm paper contained in a slipcase with four Art Prints (300 x 300mm) - The Night time 1999 on cover (Fish & Hand)
Only 100 signed and numbered