June Black

June Black
Born(1910-03-22)22 March 1910
Auckland, New Zealand
Died1 November 2009(2009-11-01) (aged 99)
New Zealand
Known forCeramic artist

June Black (22 March 1910 – 1 November 2009) was a New Zealand ceramic artist and painter.

Early life

Black was born in Auckland in 1910.[1] Her parents, Lesley and Hermia, emigrated to America when she was six months old. By 1927 her parents' marriage had ended and Hermia, Black and her sister Faith returned to New Zealand to live in Auckland. Black married Robert Frank in 1932 and they moved to Christchurch. She had three children, one tragically lost to cot death.[2]

Education

Black briefly attended Auckland University’s Elam Art School at the age of 16 but it wasn't until 1952 and living in Wellington that she took pottery classes with Helen Mason at the Petone Polytechnic.[2]

Career

Black had a successful career as an artist with her original ceramics and paintings. Her works were shown alongside well known New Zealand artists Rita Angus and Colin McCahon in the 1950s and 60s.[3] She exhibited at the Architectural Centre Gallery in Wellington, Christchurch’s Gallery 91 and New Vision gallery in Auckland. Her work was also exhibited in international shows, including shows held in Washington D.C. and in Australia.[2] She also exhibited in the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts exhibition Academy Women; a century of inspiration. This exhibit celebrated 100 years of women's art in New Zealand.[4] Black had a passion for fashion and incorporated this into her artworks.[3][5] She was a founding member of Ceramics New Zealand.[6]

June Black died at the age of 99 on 1 November 2009.[5] Her archives are held at the E H McCormick Research Library, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.[7]

Her daughter, Sheridan Keith, is a notable New Zealand writer.[2][5][8]

References

  1. ^ "Black, June". findnzartists.org.nz. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d van Woerden, Janie. "June Black". New Zealand Fashion Museum. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  3. ^ a b Swannix, John-Michael (11 November 2016). "New life breathed into ideas of visionary Kiwi artist". Te Waha Nui. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  4. ^ "June Black, Blikfang - Artsdiary 1825 notes". www.artsdiary.co.nz. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Sheridan Keith on her mother, artist June Black – Depot Artspace". www.depotartspace.co.nz. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Foundation Members of Ceramics NZ - October 1963". Ceramics NZ. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  7. ^ "June Black Archive". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Keith, Sheridan". Read NZ Te Pou Muramura. Retrieved 4 March 2021.