Jim Allen, ‘News’, 1976, performance. Image: Courtesy of Michael Lett, Auckland, New Zealand.
Last year, Aotearoa artist Jim Allen MNZM turned 100. It was a moment to celebrate his career and legacy as one of New Zealand’s most dynamic and influential proponents of experimental art. We are now at another moment to pause and salute Allen, who died last Friday (9 June).
Many on both sides of the ditch will remember Allen. He was not only a formative artist, but also leaves an incredible legacy as an arts educator, both in Australia and New Zealand.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
