Milan Mrkusich, modernist master

This week we had the pleasure of attending the opening of an exhibition accompanying an auction of works (by online art dealers Ocula Black) from the collection of the great New Zealand modernist artist, Milan Mrkusich. 

This isn't an auction of works from the secondary market, but paintings from Milan Mrkusich's own collection that have been selected for auction by his son, Lewis Mrkusich. Lewis has chosen five pairs of works, each pair combining a painting from early in his father's career with a more recent work. 

The image below shows, at left on the end wall, 'Chromatic Primary Suite', completed in 1992, paired with (at right on end wall) 'Triptych: Homage to Rodchenko), painted in 1966. The pairings of all the works show the remarkable consistency of Mrkusich's exploration of geometry and colour throughout his career.

This image (below) shows 'Meta Grey Light Series No. 1' (1970) at left, and 'Meta Grey, Yellow' (1998) at right. 

Here (below), Milan Mrkusich's 'Progression II' (1985-92) is shown at left alongside 'Untitled I' (2002).

At the opening, a couple of people wondered if Milan Mrkusich was still alive, as they hadn't seen any new works from him in some time. We can happily report that he is in his 80s and, although he now needs to use a walker to help him move around, he is very much alive, although he stopped painting some years ago. He didn't attend the opening but visited the gallery earlier in the day to see the works. Lewis said his father was delighted to see the paintings, and intrigued by the way they were grouped. 

In the image below, Milan Mrkusich's 'Dark Painting II' (1971) hangs at left beside 'Achromatic with Cobalt Blue' (1991).

Not everyone knows that Mrkusich, who was born in Dargaville in 1925, began his career as a designer at the Auckland firm of Brenner Associates. He worked on a number of architectural projects and also designed the Auckland home that he still lives in, a modernist marvel that is still in terrific condition (but he is reticent about having it photographed).

Wellingtonians will also know his work from the mural of colour blocks on the Cable Street facade of Te Papa, commissioned as the museum was undergoing construction. And, of course, his paintings are in major public and private collections all over the country.

Ocula Black's online auction of these wonderful works continues until next Tuesday, November 26. Even if you aren't going to bid on them, we recommend you take the opportunity to visit Ocula Black's Auckland gallery space (at 25 Sale Street) to see the paintings - or see more of them at the Ocula Black link at the top of this page.

The Art Issue: our new cover

Our new cover, which we're rather pleased with, features a photo by Nicole Bachmann of the London home of New Zealand sculptor Francis Upritchard and her husband, furniture designer Martino Gamper. It's on newsstands from Monday February 4. We think it's pretty good, and we hope you like it too. 

Inside the magazine is a visual feast, featuring homes and studios of artists and collectors including Tony de Lautour, Rohan Wealleans, Fiona Pardington, Bill Sutton, Dick Frizzell, Anthony Goicolea, Emily Wolfe, and more. We cover a lot of ground, from Christchurch to Hawke's Bay, London and Auckland - all of it in the service of inspiring you, our readers, of course.

Our new issue

It's time for our new issue - this time, our annual issue dedicated to art, taking you inside the homes of New Zealand artists and collectors all over the world. This issue will reach subscribers tomorrow and be on newsstands from Monday. The cover is a photograph by Emily Andrews of former Auckland art dealer Anna Bibby's amazing house in Martel, France. The photograph on the sideboard is by Australian artist Anne Zahalka.

Other highlights (and there are plenty!):

• We visit artist Martin Basher and TV producer Martha Jeffries in their apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn - as well as Martin's amazing studio in a nearby industrial building with views of Manhattan.
• Auckland art writer and curator Kriselle Baker shows us around her Auckland apartment and her terrific collection of New Zealand photography, including works by Fiona Pardington, Michael Parekowhai, Roberta Thornley, Mark Adams and many more.
• Shane Cotton and Luanne Bond's Manawatu family home, which Luanne designed.
• A mid-century Auckland classic by architect Maurice Patience now houses Andrew and Kate Thomas and their fascinating art collection.
• Artist James Kirkwood's daffy, adorable pagoda in his Titirangi back yard.
• Patrick Reynolds takes fantastic photographs of Auckland's new Fort Lane development.
• Katie Lockhart visits George Nakashima's beautiful studio in Pennsylvania.
• Paul McCredie photographs David Trubridge's new workplace and shop in Hawke's Bay.
• We've also got new architecture by Tennent + Brown Architects (in Northland) and McCoy & Wixon Architects (in Taieri Mouth).

And much more, of course...