Rita Angus

Born 12 March 1908, in Hastings - full name Henrietta Catherine Angus.
Studied painting at the Canterbury School of Art, Christchurch, and at the Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland.
Married artist Alfred Cook in 1930, but marriage lasted only four years. Rita's work from 1930-46 was signed "Rita Cook", but she changed her name by deed poll to Henrietta Catherine McKenzie (father's middle name). Still known as Rita Angus.
Taught painting, and illustrated for The Press during the 30s and 40s, but suffered from mental illness off and on.
Helped establish a distinctly New Zealand style of painting and landscape in the 1930s and 40s, along with Toss Woollaston and Colin McCahon, by using clear, sharply-defined lines and colours, but developed her own distinctive and personal style.
Well-known works include
- Cass (1936)
- Head of a Māori boy (1938)
- Portrait of Betty Curnow (1942)
- Sun goddess (1949)
- Self-portrait (1966)
Her self-portraits (55 altogether) show different stages in her life, including the break-up of her marriage.
She died on 25 January 1970.