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John Weeks (painter)
Encyclopedia
John Weeks was a Devon
shire born artist who was one of the most influential staff members at the Elam Art School
of the University of Auckland
where he taught from 1930-1954.
Weeks came to New Zealand
as a child with his parents in 1892. He commenced part-time
study at Elam in 1908, with further training at Sydney Technical College
just prior to World War I
. During the war he served in France
with the New Zealand Medical Corps
and some small watercolours from this time are held by the Auckland Museum. He broke his arms and one leg. He continued his studies after the war at the Canterbury College
School of Art
.
From 1923-1930 he travelled extensively in Europe, studying intermittently in Edinburgh
and at André Lhote
's academy, where he was influenced by the cubist
movement.
In 1930 Weeks joined the staff at Elam where he was an influential and popular lecturer, representing a more 'modernist' approach than his contemporaries, until his retirement in 1954. In January 1949 much of Weeks' best work was destroyed in a fire at Elam, while he had over 300 of his paintings assembled for selection for a forthcoming exhibition.
In 1955 Weeks was the subject of the first solo show at the Auckland City Art Gallery (now the Auckland Art Gallery
dedicated to a New Zealand artist.
John Weeks was awarded the OBE
for services to painting in 1958.
After his death in September 1965 around 150 of his works were selected by friends and colleagues for purchase by the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust
and sent to several major New Zealand galleries.
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
shire born artist who was one of the most influential staff members at the Elam Art School
Elam School of Fine Arts
The Elam School of Fine Arts, founded in 1890 by John Edward Elam is a part of Auckland University. Students study degrees in fine art with an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach.-History:...
of the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
where he taught from 1930-1954.
Weeks came to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
as a child with his parents in 1892. He commenced part-time
Part time
A part-time job is a form of employment that carries fewer hours per week than a full-time job. Workers are considered to be part time if they commonly work fewer than 30 or 35 hours per week...
study at Elam in 1908, with further training at Sydney Technical College
Sydney Technical College
The Sydney Technical College was a name used by Australia's oldest technical education institution.It began as the Sydney Mechanics' Institute in 1843...
just prior to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. During the war he served in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
with the New Zealand Medical Corps
Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps
The Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps is a corps of the New Zealand Army, the land branch of the New Zealand Defence Force. The Medical Corps provides for the medical needs of soldiers, such as diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries...
and some small watercolours from this time are held by the Auckland Museum. He broke his arms and one leg. He continued his studies after the war at the Canterbury College
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
School of Art
Art school
Art school is a general term for any educational institution with a primary focus on the visual arts, especially illustration, painting, photography, sculpture, and graphic design. The term applies to institutions with elementary, secondary, post-secondary or undergraduate, or graduate or...
.
From 1923-1930 he travelled extensively in Europe, studying intermittently in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and at André Lhote
André Lhote
André Lhote was a French sculptor and painter of figure subjects, portraits, landscapes and still life. He was also very active and influential as a teacher and writer on art....
's academy, where he was influenced by the cubist
Cubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
movement.
In 1955 Weeks was the subject of the first solo show at the Auckland City Art Gallery (now the Auckland Art Gallery
Auckland Art Gallery
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the principal public gallery in Auckland, New Zealand and has the most extensive collection of national and international art in New Zealand...
dedicated to a New Zealand artist.
John Weeks was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for services to painting in 1958.
After his death in September 1965 around 150 of his works were selected by friends and colleagues for purchase by the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust
Queen Elizabeth II National Trust
The Queen Elizabeth II National Trust is a statutory New Zealand organisation independent from Government and managed by a Board of Directors...
and sent to several major New Zealand galleries.