Christchurch: An Artists' Tribute

Compiled by Denis Robinson

New Holland, RRP$49.99

Denis Robinson has compiled a moving tribute to Christchurch with a collection of paintings of the city as it was before the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. He approached 19 artists – Cantabrians, past or present, or frequent visitors from other places – to request paintings that showed beautiful and evocative views of the city and its neo-gothic stone and character buildings.

Many artists returned to old sketchbooks, to discover drawings still waiting to be painted, and these new artworks sit alongside paintings completed in earlier days and others sourced especially for inclusion in this book. The artists give personal introductions to their works, which range in place from the central city to the outlying coastal suburbs, including Banks Peninsula and the port of Lyttelton.

There is a great variety of painting technique and mediums, including pen and ink, watercolour, oil, acrylic and pastel. Some of the works are highly realistic, while others are more impressionistic in style.

Together they form a stunning and poignant collection of New Zealand art and a warm and positive tribute to Christchurch, helping to preserve the past of the beautiful garden city for generations to come. With a foreword from Mayor Bob Parker, this is a book that will be treasured by Cantabrians and visitors to Christchurch alike.

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