Michael Illingworth

Michael Illingworth came to New Zealand from England as a teenager in 1951 and four years later returned to Europe visiting London, Paris and Greece arriving back in New Zealand penniless.

He married and moved to an old farmhouse near Puhoi. Although he painted furiously he lived largely a breadline existence until 1965 when he became the first Frances Hodgkins Fellow at Otago University.

It was during this period that his first large exhibition of paintings in Auckland created a storm of protest and official disapproval, particularly "indecent" Adam and Eve painting included in the exhibition. The painting featured two heavily stylised little figures and had it not been for their somewhat exaggerated anatomy they caused more bewilderment than outrage. Two years later however the entire exhibition of 17 paintings was purchased by an Auckland collector.

When Illingworth suddenly died at the age of 55 many wondered if his reputation as an artist would survive. It was soon realised that he brought two things to painting: a profound concern for this land and its people and the confidence born of contact with painters in the great European tradition of painting. He learned boldness and directness from painters such as Souza and from his travels he learned the sound technique that gave his paintings their characteristic inner glow.

His bright colour and simple still lifes are most remembered. Illingworth is represented in the Auckland City Art Gallery.