Maui Taming the Sun
E. Mervyn Taylor, Artist
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About the Work
“My
favourite
NZ
artist.
Maori
legend
was
one
of
his
main
themes.The
monochrome
woodcuts
are
all
wonderful
but
this
coloured
version
is
spectacular.
No
wonder
they
admired
his
work
in
Eastern
Europe,
it
reminds
me
of
USSR
propaganda
posters.
It's
a
very
modernist
aesthetic
as
seen
in
school
journals
of
the
time.
The
tension
and
energy
in
this
tiny
work
is
thrilling.”
- Nicky Bousfield, 'My Choice' January 2022
Born in Auckland 1906, Ernest Mervyn Taylor's illustrations of New Zealand bird life and tales of Maori mythology were reproduced from 1940 until 1964 in the widely distributed School Journal. Until 1939 the School Journal was the Department of Education's sole publication for children. In the mid 1940s with Taylor as Art Editor, the emphasis shifted from European to New Zealand content.
Fellow artist and contributor John Drawbridge, credits Mervyn Taylor with establishing the tradition of high standards in illustration, typography and book design long associated with this publication.
Drawing upon his training as a jewellery engraver, Taylor became known for his elegantly meticulous wood engravings. In 1948 he worked with Russell Clark to produce more than 150 drawings for the book Life in the Pa. The story of a young Maori boy taken from his Northland home by a war party and raised by another tribe. Taylor contributed artworks of birds, Maori implements and weapons studies for which he had completed in Wellington's Dominion Museum, now Te Papa Tongarewa.
Taylor's talents were recognised in 1952 when he was awarded a two-year scholarship to study Polynesian art. Taylor passed away in 1964 acknowledged by friends as a quiet, unassuming gentleman totally committed to his art.
- https://www.internationalartcentre.co.nz/auctions/catalogue/201205/EI22363/Maui-Taming-the-Sun
- Nicky Bousfield, 'My Choice' January 2022
Born in Auckland 1906, Ernest Mervyn Taylor's illustrations of New Zealand bird life and tales of Maori mythology were reproduced from 1940 until 1964 in the widely distributed School Journal. Until 1939 the School Journal was the Department of Education's sole publication for children. In the mid 1940s with Taylor as Art Editor, the emphasis shifted from European to New Zealand content.
Fellow artist and contributor John Drawbridge, credits Mervyn Taylor with establishing the tradition of high standards in illustration, typography and book design long associated with this publication.
Drawing upon his training as a jewellery engraver, Taylor became known for his elegantly meticulous wood engravings. In 1948 he worked with Russell Clark to produce more than 150 drawings for the book Life in the Pa. The story of a young Maori boy taken from his Northland home by a war party and raised by another tribe. Taylor contributed artworks of birds, Maori implements and weapons studies for which he had completed in Wellington's Dominion Museum, now Te Papa Tongarewa.
Taylor's talents were recognised in 1952 when he was awarded a two-year scholarship to study Polynesian art. Taylor passed away in 1964 acknowledged by friends as a quiet, unassuming gentleman totally committed to his art.
- https://www.internationalartcentre.co.nz/auctions/catalogue/201205/EI22363/Maui-Taming-the-Sun
Measurements
Image 340 x 265mm
Frame 482 x 378mm
Frame 482 x 378mm
Media
three colour linocut on paper
Description
Three colour linocut print in red, yellow and black on white paper. Scene depicts the Māori myth of Maui taming the sun. To the left of the image is a tiki face which represents the sun, fire comes out of its mouth and beams of light and flame curve around the entire image. Silhouetted in black against the bright light of the sun is a figure with topknot of hair and a jaw bone in his right hand. His arms are up and his legs spread wide in a strong stance.
Credit Line
Collection of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. Gift of Sir John Te Herekiekie Grace, Whanganui, 1982.
Collection Type
Permanent collection
Acquisition Date
27 May 1982
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Accession Number:
1982/24/1