Shona McFarlane
Encyclopedia
Shona Graham McFarlane CBE
(27 March 1929 – 29 September 2001) was a New Zealand
artist, journalist and broadcaster.
McFarlane was born in Gore
and educated at Otago Girls' High School
, and studied teaching at Dunedin Teachers' College. McFarlane taught Art in New Zealand schools from 1950-1952, before moving to London
where she taught in the mid-1950s.
During the 1960s and 1970s she served on the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, and was President of the Otago Art Society during the 1960s. Until 1975, she served on the Otago Theatre Trust Committee, on the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Council, and was President of the Dunedin Civic Arts Council. She was also a prominent campaigner to preserve several historic Dunedin buildings.
As a journalist during the period from 1960-1974, McFarlane was women's editor of the Dunedin Star, one of the two major daily newspapers in that city.
McFarlane became a public figure as an original panellist of the long-running chat show Beauty and the Beast, appearing alongside Selwyn Toogood
and Catherine Tizard
from 1976-1985.
McFarlane survived breast cancer in the early 1970s, and became a prominent campaigner for more government funding for early detection and intervention in the illness.
She was also vice president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
for many years.
McFarlane wrote several books, and was widely commissioned throughout New Zealand for major art works. The Shona McFarlane Art Gallery in Dunedin was named after her, as well as the Shona McFarlane retirement village in Wellington.
McFarlane was married to National Arts Minister Allan Highet
. Her sister is well-known artist Heather Francis.
McFarlane wrote six books, and her paintings appear primarily in museums, art galleries, and private collections.
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...
(27 March 1929 – 29 September 2001) was a 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...
artist, journalist and broadcaster.
McFarlane was born in Gore
Gore, New Zealand
Gore is a town, surrounding borough, and district in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand.-Geography:The Gore District has a land area of 1,251.62 km² and a resident population of...
and educated at Otago Girls' High School
Otago Girls' High School
Otago Girls' High School is a secondary school in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. It was opened 6 February 1871, after a long campaign by educationalist Learmonth Whyte Dalrymple...
, and studied teaching at Dunedin Teachers' College. McFarlane taught Art in New Zealand schools from 1950-1952, before moving to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where she taught in the mid-1950s.
During the 1960s and 1970s she served on the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, and was President of the Otago Art Society during the 1960s. Until 1975, she served on the Otago Theatre Trust Committee, on the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Council, and was President of the Dunedin Civic Arts Council. She was also a prominent campaigner to preserve several historic Dunedin buildings.
As a journalist during the period from 1960-1974, McFarlane was women's editor of the Dunedin Star, one of the two major daily newspapers in that city.
McFarlane became a public figure as an original panellist of the long-running chat show Beauty and the Beast, appearing alongside Selwyn Toogood
Selwyn Toogood
Selwyn Featherston Toogood QSO was a New Zealand radio and television personality. He was born in Wellington and lived there until 1952 when he moved to Heretaunga in the Hutt Valley...
and Catherine Tizard
Catherine Tizard
Dame Catherine Anne Tizard, was Mayor of Auckland City and the 16th Governor-General of New Zealand, the first woman to hold either office.-Early life:...
from 1976-1985.
McFarlane survived breast cancer in the early 1970s, and became a prominent campaigner for more government funding for early detection and intervention in the illness.
She was also vice president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts galleries were opened as a free public gallery on Whitmore Street in 1892...
for many years.
McFarlane wrote several books, and was widely commissioned throughout New Zealand for major art works. The Shona McFarlane Art Gallery in Dunedin was named after her, as well as the Shona McFarlane retirement village in Wellington.
McFarlane was married to National Arts Minister Allan Highet
Allan Highet
David Allan Highet QSO was a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1966 to 1984, representing the National Party for Remuera, holding the then largest majorities in the House.-Early life and family:...
. Her sister is well-known artist Heather Francis.
McFarlane wrote six books, and her paintings appear primarily in museums, art galleries, and private collections.
Awards
- MBEOrder of the British EmpireThe 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...
, 1974 - CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe 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...
, 1994 - Governor General's Art Award, 1994 - from New Zealand Academy of Fine Artshttp://www.nzafa.com/fellowship.php
- National Bank Art Award 1974
Books
- Dunedin, Portrait of a City (1970) ISBN 978-0723301714
- Mixed Media (1975) ISBN 978-0723304555
- Of Cabbages And Things (1981) ISBN 978-0723306269
- From Maungaraki (1983) ISBN 978-0723307075
- White Moas and Artichokes (1993) ISBN 978-0908790746
- Shona McFarlane: A Memoir (1999) ISBN 978-0140284812