USE OF ARTSDIARY PHOTOS

 

© 2011-15 Sait Akkirman, including all photographs.

June Black (1910-2009)

June Black was born in Auckland in 1910, but grew up in the United States of America. She returned to Auckland in 1927 and briefly attended Elam. June married Robert Frankston Black, who was later appointed as District Mechanical Engineer (NZR). They lived on Mt Victoria in Wellington, where she raised two daughters, Virginia Sue and Sheridan. Black joined the Wellington Townswoman Guild and was made secretary. The Guild lead her to the Petone Polytechnic in 1953 where she attended pottery classes with Helen Mason, Wilf Wright, Muriel Moody, Mary Hardwick- Smith and Lee Thompson. The Petone group of potters and ceramic students became a close knit circle of friends who would visit each other's homes, sharing information on clay and glaze recipes, experiences and ideas. Her reputation as an innovative, eccentric and charismatic ceramicist resulted in the inclusion of her work in various national and international shows. In 1968, at the time of Robert's retirement, June reluctantly agreed to move back to Auckland. This removal, and its resulting loss of her friends and followers, affected her both mentally and physically. After Hamish Keith's critical review of her Exhibition to Save the 20th Century at Auckland's New Vision Gallery, she became reluctant to show her work again, until 1993 when she was included in an exhibition presented by The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 'Academy Women; a Century of Inspiration' celebrating a 100 years of women's art in New Zealand. June Black lived independently in Mairangi Bay until the age of 95, then, with her eyesight severely compromised, she was looked after for four years at the Torbay Rest Home. She died in 2009 aged 99.


Catalog available with further information and work included in this show.

 

Presented by Blikfang

sheridan@blikfang.co.nz
http://www.blikfang.co.nz

 

REPRODUCED FROM BLIKFANG WEBSITE.



BACK TO PHOTOGRAPHS