Beth Zanders Explained

Beth Zanders
Birth Name:Avril Elizabeth Baker
Birth Date:2 April 1913
Birth Place:Christchurch, New Zealand
Death Place:Cambridge, United Kingdom
Field:Painting

Avril Elizabeth Zanders (née Baker; 2 April 1913 – 21 June 2009), generally known as Beth Zanders, was a New Zealand artist.[1] [2]

Career

Zanders painted primarily in oils, often still life or portraits. Notable works include: Magnolia (1950).[3]

Her inclusion in W. A. Sutton's painting Homage to Frances Hodgkins (1951) highlights her involvement in the art community of Canterbury. The painting referenced the 'Pleasure Garden controversy' in which the art world of Christchurch was divided between proponents of so-called 'modern painting' and conservative forces.[4] [5] She is depicted alongside fellow artists Doris Lusk (also known as Doris Holland), Colin McCahon, Heathcote Helmore, Margaret Frankel, Rene Lonsdale, Alan Brassington, Olivia Spencer Bower, and John Oakley.[6]

Exhibitions

Zanders exhibited with the Canterbury Society of Arts[7] and the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.[8] She was a member of The Group[9] [10] and was included in their exhibitions in 1949;[11] 1950;[12] 1951;[13] 1952.[14]

Personal life

Born Avril Elizabeth Baker, she married John Alexander Niblock in 1933 (divorcing in 1943) and married Douglas William Alfred Zanders in 1949. They are both buried in St Peter's Church, Petersham.

Further reading

Artist files for Beth Zanders are held at:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beth Zanders. findnzartists.org.nz. en. 26 September 2017.
  2. News: Beth Zanders. Auckland Art Gallery. 26 September 2017. en.
  3. News: Magnolia. Auckland Art Gallery. 26 September 2017. en.
  4. Book: Simpson, Peter. Bloomsbury South: The Arts in Christchurch 1933–1953. Auckland University Press. 2016.
  5. Web site: The Robert McDougall Art Gallery Bulletin 15 (March/April 1981). christchurchartgallery.org.nz. 26 September 2017.
  6. Web site: From the Archives: The 'Pleasure Garden' Incident at Christchurch. Pantograph Punch. en. 26 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Artists exhibited with Canterbury Society of Arts. findnzartists.org.nz. en. 26 September 2017.
  8. Web site: Artists exhibited with New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. findnzartists.org.nz. en. 26 September 2017.
  9. Web site: Artists exhibited with The Group. findnzartists.org.nz. en. 26 September 2017.
  10. Web site: The Group 1927 – 1977: an annotated bibliography – Heritage – Christchurch City Libraries. christchurchcitylibraries.com. en. 26 September 2017.
  11. Web site: The Group 1949. christchurchartgallery.org.nz. 26 September 2017.
  12. Web site: The Group 1950. christchurchartgallery.org.nz. 26 September 2017.
  13. Web site: The Group 1951. christchurchartgallery.org.nz. 26 September 2017.
  14. Web site: The Group 1952. christchurchartgallery.org.nz. 26 September 2017.