Leo Bensemann & Friends: Portraiture of The Group

Abstract

Speaks to the exhibition entitled 'Leo Bensemann & Friends: Portraiture and The Group' (2017) which premiered at the National Portrait Gallery before travelling to the TSB Wallace Arts Centre in Auckland. Considers the portraiture work of The Group, who exhibited in Christchurch between 1931 and 1964. References Peter Simpsons book 'Bloomsbury South: The Arts in Christchurch 1933-1953'. Examines the backgrounds of members of the Group. Comments on differences of style among the artists and changes in representations of subjects over time. Laments on the lack of Queer theory applied to historical accounts of The Group and argues for greater representation of LGBT in art history in galleries, universities and museums.