St Francis 1949

Rita Angus created this intriguing watercolour, St Francis, in New Zealand during the mid-20th century. The piece presents us with a beach scene, where driftwood is fashioned into a makeshift effigy of the saint, surrounded by seashells, and birds fly overhead. The scene evokes a sense of the natural world imbued with spiritual significance. Angus was known for her engagement with pacifism and environmentalism. The choice of St. Francis is deliberate, representing his profound connection to nature and his commitment to poverty and peace. In post-colonial New Zealand, many artists sought to create a distinct national identity through their art. The way that Angus invokes a European saint using only local beach materials perhaps speaks to a more general process of cultural syncretism, where foreign elements blend in with the native. To understand more, we can delve into Angus's writings, and the art criticism of the time. This will help us understand the cultural and institutional forces that shaped both the production and reception of this artwork.