The Selected Letters of Colin McCahon and Ron O’Reilly, by Peter Simpson

A LONG FRIENDSHIP IN ART AND IDEAS THROUGH LETTERS

A substantial new book by esteemed Colin McCahon scholar Peter Simpson, and which is to be published by Te Papa Press in March, shines a light on one of the most remarkable relationships in New Zealand art.

The painter Colin McCahon and the librarian Ron O’Reilly first met in 1938, in Dunedin, when McCahon was 19 and O’Reilly 24. They remained close, writing regularly to each other until 1981, when McCahon became too unwell to write.

Their 380 letters covered McCahon’s art practice, the contemporary art scene, ideas, philosophy and the spiritual life. Dazzling in their range, intensity and candour, the letters track a unique friendship and partnership in art.

Making the selection was a considerable task. “In total the selections from letters included in the book amount to more than 165,000 words,” says Peter Simpson. “Transcription was one big job; another was to write the explanatory notes needed to make the contents of the letters fully accessible to contemporary readers. There are more than 1500 of these.”

Of McCahon and O’Reilly’s regard for each other he says, “When McCahon asked O’Reilly to support his application for a teaching position at the School of Fine Arts at University of Auckland, O’Reilly wrote in part: ‘After years of viewing, as I know from the works of his that I possess, one is still discovering more in them, is still more and more impressed by the acuteness of the perception, the fineness of the thought and the breadth of the compassion revealed in their artistry. There is no other artist in New Zealand of whom I
would say this. It should be clear that I regard Mr McCahon as the foremost painter in New Zealand and a very great man. There is nothing quite comparable to this declaration from McCahon about O’Reilly but his respect, admiration and deep affection for the man are everywhere apparent in the letters, despite occasional moments of conflict or misunderstanding.

“Though less famous than McCahon, O’Reilly was in his own right distinguished as a philosopher of art and communication, as a leading librarian and educator, as a gallery director and as an ‘eminence grise’ within the world of the visual arts, and as McCahon’s ‘oldest supporter’. No doubt each man had his foibles and weaknesses; they were human after all. But their friendship and correspondence brought out the best in each other – intelligence, empathy, compassion, loyalty, trust: these qualities shine through their letters from start to finish.”

The book is illustrated with 64 images, all discussed in the letters. Simpson’s selection represents the first time these letters have been transcribed and collected in what is an act of great generosity to future scholars. It adds a new dimension to an understanding of McCahon and his career and is a rich and lively addition to any art lover’s McCahon library.

O’Reilly’s son Matthew O’Reilly and McCahon’s grandson Finn McCahon-Jones contribute insightful essays that round out the unique perspective the letters afford.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter Simpson was Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Auckland for 30 years. He is one of this country’s most experienced and prolific writers on art. He has curated three significant exhibitions of McCahon’s art and among his many books are a major two-volume work on McCahon. He writes regularly for Art New Zealand and major art catalogues. In 2017 he received the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement.

Dear Colin, Dear Ron  by Peter Simpson | Te Papa Press | Published March 2024

Media contact: Penny Hartill – director hPR 021 721 424, penny@hartillpr.co.nz