Betty Curnow

Born in Timaru, New Zealand, Curnow was the daughter of Charles John Le Cren and Daisy Le Cren (née Roberts). Daisy was also an artist, painting watercolours.[1] She married Allen Curnow at St Mary's Church, Timaru, on 26 August 1936.[2] The marriage was dissolved in 1965, but they had a daughter and two sons, one of whom is New Zealand poet and art critic Wystan Curnow.[3] Curnow died in Geraldine, New Zealand, in 2005.[4][5]

Curnow was a painter and printmaker. She exhibited with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts,[6][7] and 'The Group'[8] in 1964[9]

She is depicted in her close friend Rita Angus' painting, Portrait of Betty Curnow.[10][11] Curnow and Angus collaborated on the painting, selected clothing and objects that would best symbolise the threads of Curnow's life as a daughter, wife and mother.[12] The work also inspired Louise Henderson's Portrait of Betty Curnow.[13]

Works by Curnow are held in the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.[5]

Artist files for Curnow are held at:

• E. H. McCormick Research Library, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
• Robert and Barbara Stewart Library and Archives, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
• Fine Arts Library, University of Auckland
• Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hākena
• Te Aka Matua Research Library, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Also see:

• Concise Dictionary of New Zealand Artists McGahey, Kate (2000) Gilt Edge
• Prints and Printmakers in New Zealand Peter Cape (1974) Collins