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{{short description|New Zealand painter}}
{{Short description|New Zealand painter (1922–2020)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid
| name = Douglas MacDiarmid
| image = Douglas_MacDiarmid.jpg
| image = Douglas_MacDiarmid.jpg
| birth_date = 14 November 1922
| alt =
| birth_place = Taihape, New Zealand
| caption = MacDiarmid in {{circa|1990}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|8|26|1922|11|14}}
| birth_name = Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid
| death_place = Paris, France
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1922|11|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Taihape]], New Zealand
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|8|26|1922|11|14|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Paris]], France
| nationality = New Zealander
| nationality = New Zealander
| occupation = Painter
| occupation = Painter
| home_town = Paris, France
| father = Gordon MacDiarmid
| father = Dr Gordon MacDiarmid
| relatives = [[Alan MacDiarmid]] (cousin)
| relatives =
| website = douglasmacdiarmid.com
| family = Alan MacDiarmid
| website = www.douglasmacdiarmid.com
}}
}}
'''Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid''' (14 November 1922 – August 26, 2020) was a New Zealand expatriate painter, known for his diversity and exceptional use of colour, and involved with key movements in twentieth-century art. He lived in Paris, France.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Douglas MacDiarmid – Jonathan Grant Gallery|url = http://jgg.co.nz/artists/douglas-macdiarmid/|website = Jonathan Grant Gallery|access-date = 5 February 2016}}</ref>
'''Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid''' (14 November 1922 – 26 August 2020) was a New Zealand expatriate painter, known for his diversity and exceptional use of colour, and involved with key movements in twentieth-century art. He lived in Paris, France, for most of his career.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Douglas MacDiarmid – Jonathan Grant Gallery|url = http://jgg.co.nz/artists/douglas-macdiarmid/|website = Jonathan Grant Gallery|access-date = 5 February 2016}}</ref>


== Life ==
== Life ==
Douglas MacDiarmid was born in [[Taihape]], in the middle of the North Island of [[New Zealand]], the younger son of Dr Gordon Napier MacDiarmid,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.piha.co.nz/dr-macdiarmid/|title=Dr and Mrs MacDiarmid {{!}} Piha {{!}} Piha Beach {{!}} Piha New Zealand|website=www.piha.co.nz|access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref> country general medical practitioner and surgeon (and former army surgeon on [[SS Maheno]]), and his wife Mary Frances (née Tolme), a school teacher before her marriage. He was born in his family home upstairs from his father's surgery at 24 Huia Street, Taihape.
Douglas MacDiarmid was born in [[Taihape]], in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand, the younger son of Gordon Napier MacDiarmid,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.piha.co.nz/dr-macdiarmid/|title=Dr and Mrs MacDiarmid {{!}} Piha {{!}} Piha Beach {{!}} Piha New Zealand|website=www.piha.co.nz|date=June 2013 |access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref> country general medical practitioner and surgeon (and former army surgeon on [[SS Maheno|SS ''Maheno'']]), and his wife Mary Frances (née Tolme), a schoolteacher before her marriage. He was born in his family home upstairs from his father's surgery at 24 Huia Street, Taihape.


He boarded at Huntley Preparatory School, Marton, and [[Timaru Boys' High School]], then studied literature, languages, music and philosophy at Canterbury College, [[University of New Zealand]], [[Christchurch]]. His studies were interrupted by [[World War II]] military service in the Army and Air Force at home. Although he had no formal art training, he was mentored by older members of [[The Group (New Zealand art)|The Group]], an avant-garde set redefining New Zealand art and culture that he was closely involved with during his Christchurch years from 1940 to 1946.
He boarded at [[Huntley School, New Zealand|Huntley School]] in [[Marton, New Zealand|Marton]], and [[Timaru Boys' High School]], then studied literature, languages, music and philosophy at [[University of Canterbury|Canterbury University College]]. His studies were interrupted by [[World War II]] military service in the army and air force at home. Although he had no formal art training, he was mentored by older members of [[The Group (New Zealand art)|The Group]], an avant-garde set redefining New Zealand art and culture that he was closely involved with during his Christchurch years from 1940 to 1946.


While his brother Ronald Diarmid MacDiarmid (2 August 1920 – 13 January 2013; QSM, MB ChB UNZ, MRCGP, FRCGP, FRACGP (Hon), FRNZCGP) followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a doctor, Douglas left New Zealand after the war in 1946 to find his way as an artist, teaching and painting in London and France. After a year back in New Zealand in 1949–50, he returned to France and has been based there ever since – with homeland exhibitions and regular trips back to New Zealand until recent years.
While his brother Ronald Diarmid MacDiarmid (1920–2013) followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a doctor, Douglas left New Zealand after the war in 1946 to find his way as an artist, teaching and painting in London and France. After a year back in New Zealand in 1949–50, he returned to France and was based there for the rest of his life, with homeland exhibitions and regular trips back to New Zealand. He died in Paris on 26 August 2020 at the age of 97.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-18|title=Painter Douglas MacDiarmid set out to 'devour the world'|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300102284/painter-douglas-macdiarmid-set-out-to-devour-the-world|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-27|title=Influential New Zealand painter Douglas MacDiarmid has died|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/122590549/influential-new-zealand-painter-douglas-macdiarmid-has-died|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Douglas MACDIARMID Obituary (2020) The New Zealand Herald|url=https://notices.nzherald.co.nz/nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/name/douglas-macdiarmid-obituary?pid=196711075|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Legacy.com}}</ref>


Douglas was a cousin of the New Zealand scientist [[Alan MacDiarmid]], one of three recipients of the [[Nobel Prize for Chemistry]] in 2000. The following year, Douglas painted a portrait of his cousin for the [[New Zealand Portrait Gallery]] collection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz/portraits-online/portraits/alan-macdiarmid|title=Alan MacDiarmid {{!}} The New Zealand Portrait Gallery|website=www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz|access-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>
MacDiarmid was a cousin of the New Zealand scientist [[Alan MacDiarmid]], one of three recipients of the [[Nobel Prize for Chemistry]] in 2000. The following year, Douglas painted a portrait of his cousin for the [[New Zealand Portrait Gallery]] collection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz/portraits-online/portraits/alan-macdiarmid|title=Alan MacDiarmid {{!}} The New Zealand Portrait Gallery|website=www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz|access-date=22 February 2017|archive-date=4 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204001430/https://nzportraitgallery.org.nz/portraits-online/portraits/alan-macdiarmid|url-status=dead}}</ref>


His childhood home is now a bed and breakfast called Magpie Manor at 24 Huia Street, Taihape.
His childhood home is now a bed and breakfast called Magpie Manor at 24 Huia Street, Taihape.


== Career ==
== Career ==
MacDiarmid has been a full time artist in Paris since 1952. He also wrote poetry. Not confined to a style, he created landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, figures, abstract and semi abstract forms, many inspired by his extensive travels, and has exhibited successfully in France, London, Athens, New York, and Casablanca.
From 1952, MacDiarmid was a full-time artist in Paris. He also wrote poetry. Not confined to a style, he created landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, figures, abstract and semi-abstract forms, many inspired by his extensive travels, and exhibited successfully in France, London, Athens, New York, and Casablanca.


In 1990, he was brought back to New Zealand for the country's sesquicentennial celebrations, and declared a New Zealand living cultural treasure by the government of the day. His portrait was painted by [[Jacqueline Fahey]] at the time for the new [[New Zealand Portrait Gallery]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Douglas MacDiarmid {{!}} The New Zealand Portrait Gallery|url = http://www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz/portraits-online/portraits/douglas-macdiarmid|website = www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz|access-date = 5 February 2016}}</ref>
In 1990, MacDiarmid was brought back to New Zealand for the country's sesquicentennial celebrations, and declared a New Zealand living cultural treasure by the government of the day. His portrait was painted by [[Jacqueline Fahey]] at the time for the new [[New Zealand Portrait Gallery]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Douglas MacDiarmid {{!}} The New Zealand Portrait Gallery|url = http://www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz/portraits-online/portraits/douglas-macdiarmid|website = www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz|access-date = 5 February 2016}}</ref>


MacDiarmid painted the portraits of [[Rita Angus]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://otago.ourheritage.ac.nz/items/show/5464|title=Rita Cook [Rita Angus]. · ourheritage.ac.nz {{!}} OUR Heritage|website=otago.ourheritage.ac.nz|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> and [[Theodorus Johannes Schoon|Theo Schoon]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/collection/76-19|title=Portrait of Theo Schoon|website=christchurchartgallery.org.nz|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> among others.
MacDiarmid painted the portraits of [[Rita Angus]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://otago.ourheritage.ac.nz/items/show/5464|title=Rita Cook [Rita Angus]. · ourheritage.ac.nz {{!}} OUR Heritage|website=otago.ourheritage.ac.nz|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> and [[Theodorus Johannes Schoon|Theo Schoon]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/collection/76-19|title=Portrait of Theo Schoon|website=christchurchartgallery.org.nz|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> among others. His paintings are owned by French and New Zealand governments, the City of Paris, and public and private collections across the world, including New Zealand, Australia, the United States, France, England, Greece, Switzerland, Morocco, South Africa, China, South America, Korea, and Tahiti, as well as the collection of the late [[Duke of Windsor|Duke]] and [[Wallis Simpson|Duchess of Windsor]]. In 2016, two of his paintings sold through Art+Object for a record price (for the artist) of more than $27,000 each as part of the Tim and Sherrah Francis Collection, the highest grossing art auction in New Zealand history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artandobject.co.nz/auction/106.1/the-tim-and-sherrah-francis-collection|title=Art+Object|website=artandobject.co.nz|access-date=22 February 2017|archive-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223044319/http://www.artandobject.co.nz/auction/106.1/the-tim-and-sherrah-francis-collection|url-status=dead}}</ref>


A series of MacDiarmid's line drawings were used to illustrate a little volume of poems by New Zealand Poet Laureate 2015–2017 [[C. K. Stead]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/201855423/c-k-stead-turns-to-the-blogosphere|title=C K Stead turns to the blogosphere|date=20 August 2017|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=28 August 2017}}</ref> Published by the [[National Library of New Zealand|Alexander Turnbull Library]], the signed, limited edition book was titled ''In the mirror, and dancing'' (2017) and hand-pressed by Brendan O'Brien.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/the-making-of-in-the-mirror-and-dancing|title=The making of: 'In the mirror, and dancing' {{!}} Blog {{!}} National Library of New Zealand|website=natlib.govt.nz|access-date=28 August 2017}}</ref> The book was launched on 8 August 2017 in [[Wellington]], with the assistance of [[Gregory O'Brien]] to celebrate the conclusion of Stead's laureateship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/in-the-mirror-and-dancing|title=In the mirror, and dancing {{!}} Blog {{!}} National Library of New Zealand|website=natlib.govt.nz|access-date=28 August 2017}}</ref>
His paintings are owned by French and New Zealand governments, the City of Paris, and public and private collections across the world, including New Zealand, Australia, the United States, France, England, Greece, Switzerland, Morocco, South Africa, China, South America, Korea, Tahiti, as well as the collection of the late [[Duke of Windsor|Duke]] and [[Wallis Simpson|Duchess of Windsor]] (formerly known as [[Wallis Simpson]]).


Senior art historian Associate Professor Leonard Bell, of the School of Humanities at the [[University of Auckland]], noted MacDiarmid's name missing in overviews of the history of painting in New Zealand <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.douglasmacdiarmid.com/art-historian-leonard-bell/|title=An art historian's view of Douglas MacDiarmid - Douglas MacDiarmid|website=www.douglasmacdiarmid.com|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noted.co.nz/culture/arts/douglas-macdiarmid-nz-art-biography/|title=The artist and poet who refused to play by the narrow rules of NZ art|last=Noted|website=Noted|language=en|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> and has welcomed the launch of his biography ''Colours of a Life - the life and times of Douglas MacDiarmid'' by Anna Cahill (2018).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=12089927|title=Biography of Taihape's world acclaimed artist Douglas MacDiarmid launched|last=Ferguson|first=Lin|date=2018-07-19|work=NZ Herald|access-date=2018-08-18|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noted.co.nz/culture/arts/douglas-macdiarmid-nz-art-biography/|title=The artist and poet who refused to play by the narrow rules of NZ art|last=Noted|website=Noted|language=en|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref>
In 2016, two of his paintings sold through Art+Object for a record price (for the artist) of more than $27,000 each as part of the Tim and Sherrah Francis Collection, the highest grossing art auction in New Zealand history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artandobject.co.nz/auction/106.1/the-tim-and-sherrah-francis-collection|title=Art+Object|website=artandobject.co.nz|access-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>


MacDiarmid died from COVID-19 in 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/2018865703/the-letters-of-artist-douglas-macdiarmid | title=The letters of artist Douglas MacDiarmid | website=[[Radio New Zealand]] | date=6 November 2022 }}</ref>
A series of Douglas' line drawings were used to illustrate a little volume of poems by New Zealand Poet Laureate 2015–2017 [[C. K. Stead|CK Stead]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/201855423/c-k-stead-turns-to-the-blogosphere|title=C K Stead turns to the blogosphere|date=20 August 2017|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=28 August 2017}}</ref> Published by the [[National Library of New Zealand|Alexander Turnbull Library]], the signed, limited edition book was titled ''In the mirror, and dancing'' (2017) and hand-pressed by Brendan O'Brien.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/the-making-of-in-the-mirror-and-dancing|title=The making of: 'In the mirror, and dancing' {{!}} Blog {{!}} National Library of New Zealand|website=natlib.govt.nz|access-date=28 August 2017}}</ref> The book was launched on 8 August 2017 in Wellington, with the assistance of [[Gregory O'Brien]] to celebrate the conclusion of Stead's laureateship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/in-the-mirror-and-dancing|title=In the mirror, and dancing {{!}} Blog {{!}} National Library of New Zealand|website=natlib.govt.nz|access-date=28 August 2017}}</ref>

Senior art historian Associate Professor Leonard Bell, of the School of Humanities at the University of Auckland, has noted MacDiarmid's name missing in overviews of New Zealand's country’s painting history<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.douglasmacdiarmid.com/art-historian-leonard-bell/|title=An art historian's view of Douglas MacDiarmid - Douglas MacDiarmid|website=www.douglasmacdiarmid.com|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noted.co.nz/culture/arts/douglas-macdiarmid-nz-art-biography/|title=The artist and poet who refused to play by the narrow rules of NZ art|last=Noted|website=Noted|language=en|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> and has welcomed the launch of his biography ''Colours of a Life - the life and times of Douglas MacDiarmid'' by Anna Cahill (2018).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=12089927|title=Biography of Taihape's world acclaimed artist Douglas MacDiarmid launched|last=Ferguson|first=Lin|date=2018-07-19|work=NZ Herald|access-date=2018-08-18|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noted.co.nz/culture/arts/douglas-macdiarmid-nz-art-biography/|title=The artist and poet who refused to play by the narrow rules of NZ art|last=Noted|website=Noted|language=en|access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref>


== Significant exhibitions ==
== Significant exhibitions ==
1945: Showed with [[The Group (New Zealand art)|The Group]], Christchurch (also 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1956, 1963)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.press.auckland.ac.nz/en/browse-books/all-books/books-2016/bloomsbury-south.html|title=Bloomsbury South: The Arts in Christchurch 1933–1953|last=Simpson|first=Peter|year=2016}}</ref>
* 1945: Showed with [[The Group (New Zealand art)|The Group]], Christchurch (also 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1956, 1963)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.press.auckland.ac.nz/en/browse-books/all-books/books-2016/bloomsbury-south.html|title=Bloomsbury South: The Arts in Christchurch 1933–1953|last=Simpson|first=Peter|year=2016}}</ref>
* 1950: [[Helen Hitchings]] Gallery, Wellington (first solo show)

* 1951: Work shown at Bienniale de Menton salon exhibition, Gallery Pierre Mondal, London
1950: [[Helen Hitchings]] Gallery, Wellington (first solo show)
* 1952: ''Aquarelle'', Galerie Morihien, Paris (first solo French exhibition). Fifteen New Zealand Painters, Irving Galleries, Leicester, presented by [[Helen Hitchings]] as first exhibition of contemporary NZ art in Britain. Also New Forms Gallery, Athens, Greece.

* 1953: Chelsea Private Gallery, London; Galerie Royale, Paris
1951: Work shown at Bienniale de Menton salon exhibition, Gallery Pierre Mondal, London
* 1955: [[Galerie Ror Volmar]], Paris

* 1958: Galerie du Colisée, Paris, Galerie du Claridge, Paris. Pierre Montal Gallery group exhibition, London
1952: ''Aquarelle'', Galerie Morihien, Paris (first solo French exhibition). Fifteen New Zealand Painters, Irving Galleries, Leicester, presented by [[Helen Hitchings]] as first exhibition of contemporary NZ art in Britain. Also New Forms Gallery, Athens, Greece.
* 1959: André Brooke's Gallery 91, Christchurch. John Leech Gallery, Auckland. Beaux Arts group exhibition, Paris, works selected for L'Exposition du Prix Othon Friesz, Paris

* 1960: Commonwealth Week, Midland Bank, London; Gallery Pierre Montal, London; [[The Redfern Gallery|Redfern Gallery]], London. Galeries Felix Varcel, represented NZ in New York Norwich International Exhibition, London
1953: Chelsea Private Gallery, London; Galerie Royale, Paris
* 1961: Architectural Centre, Wellington

1955: [[Galerie Ror Volmar]], Paris
* 1963: Galerie Chardin, Paris; New Forms Gallery, Athens
* 1964: Opening of NZ House, London (the first painter to exhibit there). Represented NZ at Stamford International Exhibition, Connecticut, USA

1958: Galerie du Colisée, Paris, Galerie du Claridge, Paris. Pierre Montal Gallery group exhibition, London
* 1965: Galerie 259 Raspail, Paris, with sculptor Dambrin. Represented at NZ painting and ceramics exhibition, New Zealand Embassy, Paris. John Leech Gallery, Auckland (also 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973)
* 1966: Ensemble exhibition, Palmerston North Public Art Gallery, NZ. Group exhibition of NZ Paintings & Pottery, NZ Embassy, Washington DC

* 1968: Retrospective MacDiarmid Exhibition, Wellington; Galerie Berri-Lardy, Paris. Represented NZ at Commonwealth Exhibition, Bristol, UK
1959: André Brooke's Gallery 91, Christchurch. John Leech Gallery, Auckland. Beaux Arts group exhibition, Paris, works selected for L'Exposition du Prix Othon Friesz, Paris
* 1969: Bishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson, NZ.

* 1970: [[Dunedin Public Art Gallery]], Festival Week Exhibition. [[Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery]], Christchurch
1960: Commonwealth Week, Midland Bank, London; Gallery Pierre Montal, London; [[The Redfern Gallery|Redfern Gallery]], London. Galeries Felix Varcel, represented NZ in New York Norwich International Exhibition, London
* 1972: Galerie Motte, Paris

1961: Architectural Centre, Wellington
* 1974: Medici Galleries, Wellington (also 1975, 1976)
* 1976: NZ House, London; Galerie Venise Cadre, Casablanca, Morocco

1963: Galerie Chardin, Paris; New Forms Gallery, Athens
* 1977: Galerie Séguier, Paris
* 1979: Galeriè Bond Street, Casablanca

* 1981: Louise Beale Gallery, Wellington (also 1985)
1964: Opening of NZ House, London (the first painter to exhibit there). Represented NZ at Stamford International Exhibition, Connecticut, USA
* 1983: Galerie Lambert, Paris (also 1986)

* 1989: Chez Lonjon, Paris – first home based exhibition
1965: Galerie 259 Raspail, Paris, with sculptor Dambrin. Represented at NZ painting and ceramics exhibition, New Zealand Embassy, Paris. John Leech Gallery, Auckland (also 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973)
* 1990: NZ Sesquicentennial Exhibition, ''Light Release'', Louise Beale/Christopher Moore Gallery, Wellington; National Art Gallery, Wellington

* 1992: Christopher Moore Gallery, Wellington (also 1993, 1995, 1997). MacDiarmid studio exhibitions, Paris (also 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005)
1966: Ensemble exhibition, Palmerston North Public Art Gallery, NZ. Group exhibition of NZ Paintings & Pottery, NZ Embassy, Washington DC
* 1995: New Zealand Embassy, Paris

* 1996: [[Sarjeant Gallery]], [[Whanganui|Wanganui]], NZ
1968: Retrospective MacDiarmid Exhibition, Wellington; Galerie Berri-Lardy, Paris. Represented NZ at Commonwealth Exhibition, Bristol, UK
* 1999–2002: Ferner Galleries, Auckland & Wellington, NZ, MacDiarmid 50th anniversary ''Retrospective 1948–1998 – From the Artist's Studio,'' followed by ''Celebrating the artist at 80'' retrospective to coincide with the New Zealand launch of art history book ''MacDiarmid'' by French art historian [[Nelly Finet]]<ref>Finet (2002)</ref>

* 2003: St Tropez, France, solo exhibition for 5th Australia/New Zealand Film Festival
1969: Bishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson, NZ.
* 2004: NZ Embassy residence, Paris

* 2006: [[Hocken Collections]], [[Dunedin]] NZ, ''Douglas MacDiarmid: A Very Generous Gift''; St Tropez, France 11–15 October. This show supported the release of ''A Stranger Everywhere''<ref>Grinda (2006)</ref> documentary at Australia/New Zealand Film Festival; Otago University Auckland Centre; NZ Embassy exhibition, Paris
1970: [[Dunedin Public Art Gallery]], Festival Week Exhibition. [[Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery]], Christchurch
* 2008: New Zealand Embassy, Paris, also 2011 exhibition in aid of [[2010 Canterbury earthquake|Christchurch earthquake]] reparation

* 2013: Montmartre, Paris exhibition with expatriate NZ sculptor Marion Fountain; Jonathan Grant Gallery, Auckland [http://jgg.co.nz/exhibitions/douglas-macdiarmid-an-artist-abroad/ Douglas MacDiarmid: An Artist Abroad]
1972: Galerie Motte, Paris
* 2015: Early work shown in [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]] autumn Nga Toi exhibition, Wellington<ref>Trevelyan, J. "'The wild country of my Taihape': a painting by Douglas MacDiarmid". ''Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa'', 11 December 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.</ref>

* 2017: University of Auckland's Gus Fisher Gallery exhibited work covering a period of six decades, gifted to the University of Auckland Art Collection by Douglas in 2015.
1974: Medici Galleries, Wellington (also 1975, 1976)
* 2018: ''Colours of a Life: Douglas MacDiarmid'', [[New Zealand Portrait Gallery]]. Coinciding with the publication of his biography by the same name, this was an exhibition curated by Anna Cahill and Jaenine Parkinson to celebrate the life and art of MacDiarmid, including a survey of his portraits and figurative works that span from realist figuration through to geometric abstraction, and showcasing his vibrant use of colour and the network of relationships the artist formed to places and people throughout his life and career.

1976: NZ House, London; Galerie Venise Cadre, Casablanca, Morocco

1977: Galerie Séguier, Paris

1979: Galeriè Bond Street, Casablanca

1981: Louise Beale Gallery, Wellington (also 1985)

1983: Galerie Lambert, Paris (also 1986)

1989: Chez Lonjon, Paris – first home based exhibition

1990: NZ Sesquicentennial Exhibition, ''Light Release'', Louise Beale/Christopher Moore Gallery, Wellington; National Art Gallery, Wellington

1992: Christopher Moore Gallery, Wellington (also 1993, 1995, 1997). MacDiarmid studio exhibitions, Paris (also 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005)

1995: New Zealand Embassy, Paris

1996: [[Sarjeant Gallery]], [[Whanganui|Wanganui]], NZ

1999–2002: Ferner Galleries, Auckland & Wellington, NZ, MacDiarmid 50th anniversary ''Retrospective 1948–1998 – From the Artist's Studio,'' followed by ''Celebrating the artist at 80'' retrospective to coincide with the New Zealand launch of art history book ''MacDiarmid'' by French art historian [[Nelly Finet]]<ref>Finet (2002)</ref>

2003: St Tropez, France, solo exhibition for 5th Australia/New Zealand Film Festival

2004: NZ Embassy residence, Paris

2006: [[Hocken Collections]], [[Dunedin]] NZ, ''Douglas MacDiarmid: A Very Generous Gift''; St Tropez, France 11–15 October. This show supported the release of ''A Stranger Everywhere''<ref>Grinda (2006)</ref> documentary at Australia/New Zealand Film Festival; Otago University Auckland Centre; NZ Embassy exhibition, Paris

2008: New Zealand Embassy, Paris, also 2011 exhibition in aid of [[2010 Canterbury earthquake|Christchurch earthquake]] reparation

2013: Montmartre, Paris exhibition with expatriate NZ sculptor Marion Fountain; Jonathan Grant Gallery, Auckland [http://jgg.co.nz/exhibitions/douglas-macdiarmid-an-artist-abroad/ Douglas MacDiarmid: An Artist Abroad]

2015: Early work shown in [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]] autumn Nga Toi exhibition, Wellington<ref>Trevelyan, J. "'The wild country of my Taihape': a painting by Douglas MacDiarmid". ''Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa'', 11 December 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.</ref>

2017: University of Auckland's Gus Fisher Gallery exhibited work covering a period of six decades, gifted to the University of Auckland Art Collection by Douglas in 2015.

2018: ''Colours of a Life: Douglas MacDiarmid'', [[New Zealand Portrait Gallery]]. Coinciding with the publication of his biography by the same name, this was an exhibition curated by Anna Cahill and Jaenine Parkinson to celebrate the life and art of MacDiarmid, including a survey of his portraits and figurative works that span from realist figuration through to geometric abstraction, and showcasing his vibrant use of colour and the network of relationships the artist formed to places and people throughout his life and career.


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
Line 130: Line 92:
* Fraser, R., "Douglas MacDiarmid: A conversation with an expatriate," ''Art New Zealand'' 59 (Winter 1991) pp. 84, 87, 105.
* Fraser, R., "Douglas MacDiarmid: A conversation with an expatriate," ''Art New Zealand'' 59 (Winter 1991) pp. 84, 87, 105.
* Frizzell, D., (2012) ''It's all about the image,'' Auckland: Random House NZ. {{ISBN|9781869797072}}
* Frizzell, D., (2012) ''It's all about the image,'' Auckland: Random House NZ. {{ISBN|9781869797072}}
* Grinda, E., (2006) [http://www.artisanltd.com.hk/?p=224&lang=en ''A Stranger Everywhere,''] (52-minute documentary film on MacDiarmid's work and views). Hong Kong: Artisan Limited.
* Grinda, E., (2006) [http://www.artisanltd.com.hk/?p=224&lang=en ''A Stranger Everywhere,''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409092505/http://www.artisanltd.com.hk/?p=224&lang=en |date=9 April 2016 }} (52-minute documentary film on MacDiarmid's work and views). Hong Kong: Artisan Limited.
* Johnstone, C., (2006) ''Landscape paintings of New Zealand: A journey from north to south,'' Auckland: Godwit Press.
* Johnstone, C., (2006) ''Landscape paintings of New Zealand: A journey from north to south,'' Auckland: Godwit Press.
* MacDiarmid, D. "What is art supposed to do?" ''Ascent: A journal of the arts in New Zealand'', 1, 1, (November 1967) pp. 11–15.
* MacDiarmid, D. "What is art supposed to do?" ''Ascent: A journal of the arts in New Zealand'', 1, 1, (November 1967) pp. 11–15.
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* Trevelyan, J., (2008) ''[[Rita Angus]]: An artist's life,'' Wellington: [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa|Te Papa]].
* Trevelyan, J., (2008) ''[[Rita Angus]]: An artist's life,'' Wellington: [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa|Te Papa]].
* Wolfe, R., (2008) ''New Zealand portraits,'' Auckland: Penguin. {{ISBN|9780670071777}}
* Wolfe, R., (2008) ''New Zealand portraits,'' Auckland: Penguin. {{ISBN|9780670071777}}

{{Commons category|Douglas MacDiarmid}}
{{Commons category|Douglas MacDiarmid}}
==References==
==References==
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{{The Group NZ}}

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[[Category:21st-century New Zealand painters]]
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[[Category:21st-century New Zealand male artists]]
[[Category:People educated at Timaru Boys' High School]]
[[Category:People educated at Timaru Boys' High School]]
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[[Category:University of Canterbury alumni]]
[[Category:New Zealand expatriates in France]]
[[Category:New Zealand expatriates in France]]
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[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in France]]

Latest revision as of 07:27, 12 February 2024

Douglas MacDiarmid
MacDiarmid in c. 1990
Born
Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid

(1922-11-14)14 November 1922
Taihape, New Zealand
Died26 August 2020(2020-08-26) (aged 97)
Paris, France
NationalityNew Zealander
OccupationPainter
Parent
  • Gordon MacDiarmid (father)
RelativesAlan MacDiarmid (cousin)
Websitedouglasmacdiarmid.com

Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid (14 November 1922 – 26 August 2020) was a New Zealand expatriate painter, known for his diversity and exceptional use of colour, and involved with key movements in twentieth-century art. He lived in Paris, France, for most of his career.[1]

Leben

[edit]

Douglas MacDiarmid was born in Taihape, in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand, the younger son of Gordon Napier MacDiarmid,[2] country general medical practitioner and surgeon (and former army surgeon on SS Maheno), and his wife Mary Frances (née Tolme), a schoolteacher before her marriage. He was born in his family home upstairs from his father's surgery at 24 Huia Street, Taihape.

He boarded at Huntley School in Marton, and Timaru Boys' High School, then studied literature, languages, music and philosophy at Canterbury University College. His studies were interrupted by World War II military service in the army and air force at home. Although he had no formal art training, he was mentored by older members of The Group, an avant-garde set redefining New Zealand art and culture that he was closely involved with during his Christchurch years from 1940 to 1946.

While his brother Ronald Diarmid MacDiarmid (1920–2013) followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a doctor, Douglas left New Zealand after the war in 1946 to find his way as an artist, teaching and painting in London and France. After a year back in New Zealand in 1949–50, he returned to France and was based there for the rest of his life, with homeland exhibitions and regular trips back to New Zealand. He died in Paris on 26 August 2020 at the age of 97.[3][4][5]

MacDiarmid was a cousin of the New Zealand scientist Alan MacDiarmid, one of three recipients of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2000. The following year, Douglas painted a portrait of his cousin for the New Zealand Portrait Gallery collection.[6]

His childhood home is now a bed and breakfast called Magpie Manor at 24 Huia Street, Taihape.

Career

[edit]

From 1952, MacDiarmid was a full-time artist in Paris. He also wrote poetry. Not confined to a style, he created landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, figures, abstract and semi-abstract forms, many inspired by his extensive travels, and exhibited successfully in France, London, Athens, New York, and Casablanca.

In 1990, MacDiarmid was brought back to New Zealand for the country's sesquicentennial celebrations, and declared a New Zealand living cultural treasure by the government of the day. His portrait was painted by Jacqueline Fahey at the time for the new New Zealand Portrait Gallery.[7]

MacDiarmid painted the portraits of Rita Angus[8] and Theo Schoon[9] among others. His paintings are owned by French and New Zealand governments, the City of Paris, and public and private collections across the world, including New Zealand, Australia, the United States, France, England, Greece, Switzerland, Morocco, South Africa, China, South America, Korea, and Tahiti, as well as the collection of the late Duke and Duchess of Windsor. In 2016, two of his paintings sold through Art+Object for a record price (for the artist) of more than $27,000 each as part of the Tim and Sherrah Francis Collection, the highest grossing art auction in New Zealand history.[10]

A series of MacDiarmid's line drawings were used to illustrate a little volume of poems by New Zealand Poet Laureate 2015–2017 C. K. Stead.[11] Published by the Alexander Turnbull Library, the signed, limited edition book was titled In the mirror, and dancing (2017) and hand-pressed by Brendan O'Brien.[12] The book was launched on 8 August 2017 in Wellington, with the assistance of Gregory O'Brien to celebrate the conclusion of Stead's laureateship.[13]

Senior art historian Associate Professor Leonard Bell, of the School of Humanities at the University of Auckland, noted MacDiarmid's name missing in overviews of the history of painting in New Zealand [14][15] and has welcomed the launch of his biography Colours of a Life - the life and times of Douglas MacDiarmid by Anna Cahill (2018).[16][17]

MacDiarmid died from COVID-19 in 2020.[18]

Significant exhibitions

[edit]
  • 1945: Showed with The Group, Christchurch (also 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1956, 1963)[19]
  • 1950: Helen Hitchings Gallery, Wellington (first solo show)
  • 1951: Work shown at Bienniale de Menton salon exhibition, Gallery Pierre Mondal, London
  • 1952: Aquarelle, Galerie Morihien, Paris (first solo French exhibition). Fifteen New Zealand Painters, Irving Galleries, Leicester, presented by Helen Hitchings as first exhibition of contemporary NZ art in Britain. Also New Forms Gallery, Athens, Greece.
  • 1953: Chelsea Private Gallery, London; Galerie Royale, Paris
  • 1955: Galerie Ror Volmar, Paris
  • 1958: Galerie du Colisée, Paris, Galerie du Claridge, Paris. Pierre Montal Gallery group exhibition, London
  • 1959: André Brooke's Gallery 91, Christchurch. John Leech Gallery, Auckland. Beaux Arts group exhibition, Paris, works selected for L'Exposition du Prix Othon Friesz, Paris
  • 1960: Commonwealth Week, Midland Bank, London; Gallery Pierre Montal, London; Redfern Gallery, London. Galeries Felix Varcel, represented NZ in New York Norwich International Exhibition, London
  • 1961: Architectural Centre, Wellington
  • 1963: Galerie Chardin, Paris; New Forms Gallery, Athens
  • 1964: Opening of NZ House, London (the first painter to exhibit there). Represented NZ at Stamford International Exhibition, Connecticut, USA
  • 1965: Galerie 259 Raspail, Paris, with sculptor Dambrin. Represented at NZ painting and ceramics exhibition, New Zealand Embassy, Paris. John Leech Gallery, Auckland (also 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973)
  • 1966: Ensemble exhibition, Palmerston North Public Art Gallery, NZ. Group exhibition of NZ Paintings & Pottery, NZ Embassy, Washington DC
  • 1968: Retrospective MacDiarmid Exhibition, Wellington; Galerie Berri-Lardy, Paris. Represented NZ at Commonwealth Exhibition, Bristol, UK
  • 1969: Bishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson, NZ.
  • 1970: Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Festival Week Exhibition. Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery, Christchurch
  • 1972: Galerie Motte, Paris
  • 1974: Medici Galleries, Wellington (also 1975, 1976)
  • 1976: NZ House, London; Galerie Venise Cadre, Casablanca, Morocco
  • 1977: Galerie Séguier, Paris
  • 1979: Galeriè Bond Street, Casablanca
  • 1981: Louise Beale Gallery, Wellington (also 1985)
  • 1983: Galerie Lambert, Paris (also 1986)
  • 1989: Chez Lonjon, Paris – first home based exhibition
  • 1990: NZ Sesquicentennial Exhibition, Light Release, Louise Beale/Christopher Moore Gallery, Wellington; National Art Gallery, Wellington
  • 1992: Christopher Moore Gallery, Wellington (also 1993, 1995, 1997). MacDiarmid studio exhibitions, Paris (also 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005)
  • 1995: New Zealand Embassy, Paris
  • 1996: Sarjeant Gallery, Wanganui, NZ
  • 1999–2002: Ferner Galleries, Auckland & Wellington, NZ, MacDiarmid 50th anniversary Retrospective 1948–1998 – From the Artist's Studio, followed by Celebrating the artist at 80 retrospective to coincide with the New Zealand launch of art history book MacDiarmid by French art historian Nelly Finet[20]
  • 2003: St Tropez, France, solo exhibition for 5th Australia/New Zealand Film Festival
  • 2004: NZ Embassy residence, Paris
  • 2006: Hocken Collections, Dunedin NZ, Douglas MacDiarmid: A Very Generous Gift; St Tropez, France 11–15 October. This show supported the release of A Stranger Everywhere[21] documentary at Australia/New Zealand Film Festival; Otago University Auckland Centre; NZ Embassy exhibition, Paris
  • 2008: New Zealand Embassy, Paris, also 2011 exhibition in aid of Christchurch earthquake reparation
  • 2013: Montmartre, Paris exhibition with expatriate NZ sculptor Marion Fountain; Jonathan Grant Gallery, Auckland Douglas MacDiarmid: An Artist Abroad
  • 2015: Early work shown in Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa autumn Nga Toi exhibition, Wellington[22]
  • 2017: University of Auckland's Gus Fisher Gallery exhibited work covering a period of six decades, gifted to the University of Auckland Art Collection by Douglas in 2015.
  • 2018: Colours of a Life: Douglas MacDiarmid, New Zealand Portrait Gallery. Coinciding with the publication of his biography by the same name, this was an exhibition curated by Anna Cahill and Jaenine Parkinson to celebrate the life and art of MacDiarmid, including a survey of his portraits and figurative works that span from realist figuration through to geometric abstraction, and showcasing his vibrant use of colour and the network of relationships the artist formed to places and people throughout his life and career.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Bell, L., "In transit: Questions of home and belonging in New Zealand art," presented and transcribed as part of the 2006 Gordon H. Brown Lecture series.
  • Bell, L., "A stranger everywhere: Douglas MacDiarmid and New Zealand," Art New Zealand 123 (Winter 2007), pp. 76–81, 95.
  • Brown, G. H., (1981) New Zealand painting 1940–1960: Conformity and dissension, Wellington: QEII Arts Council. pp. 46, 50–51, 58, 61, 100.
  • Cahill, A., (2017) "Douglas MacDiarmid: A man for all seasons", Contemporary Hum
  • Cahill, A., (2018) Colours of a Life: The life and times of Douglas MacDiarmid, Auckland: Mary Egan Publishing. ISBN 9780473423834
  • Finet, N., (2002) MacDiarmid, Paris: Editions STAR.
  • Fraser, R., "Douglas MacDiarmid: A conversation with an expatriate," Art New Zealand 59 (Winter 1991) pp. 84, 87, 105.
  • Frizzell, D., (2012) It's all about the image, Auckland: Random House NZ. ISBN 9781869797072
  • Grinda, E., (2006) A Stranger Everywhere, Archived 9 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine (52-minute documentary film on MacDiarmid's work and views). Hong Kong: Artisan Limited.
  • Johnstone, C., (2006) Landscape paintings of New Zealand: A journey from north to south, Auckland: Godwit Press.
  • MacDiarmid, D. "What is art supposed to do?" Ascent: A journal of the arts in New Zealand, 1, 1, (November 1967) pp. 11–15.
  • Norman, P., (2006) Douglas Lilburn: His life and work, Christchurch: Canterbury University Press.
  • O'Brien, G., (2008) Back and Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young and Curious, Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 9781869404048
  • Simpson, P., (2016) Bloomsbury South: The Arts in Christchurch 1933–1953, Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 9781869408480
  • Trevelyan, J., (2008) Rita Angus: An artist's life, Wellington: Te Papa.
  • Wolfe, R., (2008) New Zealand portraits, Auckland: Penguin. ISBN 9780670071777
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Douglas MacDiarmid.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Douglas MacDiarmid – Jonathan Grant Gallery". Jonathan Grant Gallery. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Dr and Mrs MacDiarmid | Piha | Piha Beach | Piha New Zealand". www.piha.co.nz. June 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Painter Douglas MacDiarmid set out to 'devour the world'". Stuff. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Influential New Zealand painter Douglas MacDiarmid has died". Stuff. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Douglas MACDIARMID Obituary (2020) The New Zealand Herald". Legacy.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Alan MacDiarmid | The New Zealand Portrait Gallery". www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  7. ^ "Douglas MacDiarmid | The New Zealand Portrait Gallery". www.nzportraitgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Rita Cook [Rita Angus]. · ourheritage.ac.nz | OUR Heritage". otago.ourheritage.ac.nz. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Portrait of Theo Schoon". christchurchartgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Art+Object". artandobject.co.nz. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  11. ^ "C K Stead turns to the blogosphere". Radio New Zealand. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  12. ^ "The making of: 'In the mirror, and dancing' | Blog | National Library of New Zealand". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  13. ^ "In the mirror, and dancing | Blog | National Library of New Zealand". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  14. ^ "An art historian's view of Douglas MacDiarmid - Douglas MacDiarmid". www.douglasmacdiarmid.com. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  15. ^ Noted. "The artist and poet who refused to play by the narrow rules of NZ art". Noted. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  16. ^ Ferguson, Lin (19 July 2018). "Biography of Taihape's world acclaimed artist Douglas MacDiarmid launched". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  17. ^ Noted. "The artist and poet who refused to play by the narrow rules of NZ art". Noted. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  18. ^ "The letters of artist Douglas MacDiarmid". Radio New Zealand. 6 November 2022.
  19. ^ Simpson, Peter (2016). "Bloomsbury South: The Arts in Christchurch 1933–1953".
  20. ^ Finet (2002)
  21. ^ Grinda (2006)
  22. ^ Trevelyan, J. "'The wild country of my Taihape': a painting by Douglas MacDiarmid". Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 11 December 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
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