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Fine Folk: Design work by Colin McCahon

6 September – 22 November 2008

Although principally known as a painter Colin McCahon engaged in an array of design activities. Examples of his design work showcased in this exhibition include museum display and exhibition signage, jewellery making, illustration, stage design, book cover design, print-making and coloured glass design. This show compares areas of McCahon’s practice to folk art and, in its exploration of how McCahon became involved with design, draws attention to particular ‘folk’ that encouraged his involvement with design.

Colin McCahon, Gay Nineties Soiree, 1938, gouache and silver enamel on paper, Hocken Collections, University of Otago Library. Image reproduced courtesy of The Colin McCahon Research and Publication Trust.	Colin McCahon, Swan Lake Stage Design 1, 1954, gouache on paper, Hocken Collections, University of Otago Library. Image reproduced courtesy of The Colin McCahon Research and Publication Trust.

Last revised: 21 November, 2008