Iconic NZ artist credited with introducing NZ to modern art styles in the 1940’s. His best-known works are large, wall-sized paintings, often expressive landscapes with dark backgrounds, often overlaid with religious words in stark white. Ten years after his death, a large McCahon mural was stolen from a Department of Conservation Visitor Centre, although later returned, it made headline news around the world.

Photo: Gordon H. Brown (b.1931), Partridge Street, Colin McCahon full face, 1968/2004, B/W photograph, ed. 1/6.
Courtesy the artist and The University of Auckland Art Collection