Portraits of our identity

From City Scene, published on 4 November, 2007

Explore portraiture - The Marys at the Tomb, Colin McCahon, 1950 - gift of the Friends of Auckland Art Gallery.

Auckland Art Gallery's Likeness and Character exhibition (until 20 April) explores the nature of portraiture and how portraits not only show us what people look like, but also convey to us who they are. The exhibition traces the changing face of New Zealand portraits and our national obsession with forging a cultural identity. Tony Fomison's The Ponsonby Madonna, on public display for the first time since it was gifted to the gallery by a private donor, forms the centrepiece of the show. Senior curator Ron Brownson describes the painting as a key work of religious New Zealand art. Visit www.aucklandartgallery.com or phone 307 7700 for more information.