Colin McCahon poems to Rita Angus.

Written in soft pencil. The poems, addressed by McCahon to Rita Angus, were written probably around 1972, not long after Angus' death (1970); they make reference to various points in their long friendship and provide insights into major events in their lives. The poems are very significant both from the point of view of the cultural importance of writer and subject represented and the light they throw on their relationship, but also from a literary point of view: McCahon is known primarily as an iconic New Zealand artist rather than a writer, but he loved poetry both classic (Coleridge, Hopkins, Dickinson) and modern (Baxter, Brasch, Caselberg, Mason, Hyde). In these poems he literally speaks for himself in a way he seldom does in his paintings. Because they are written in his hand, the poems are also interesting visually, partly because of the familiarity and esteem of his handwriting. Contents: Folder 1: 'Christchurch : about 1939' Folder 2: 'Clifton 1948'. Folder 3: 'Clifton - later'. Folder 4: 'Titirangi'. Folder 5: 'Rita in Northland. A poem for many friends'. Folder 6: [untitled: begins 'The bicycle boys may now rejoice']. Folder 7: Us : Wellington.