Dear Colin, Dear Ron

Peter Simpson was Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Auckland for 30 years. He is one of this country’s most experienced and prolific writers on art. He has curated three significant exhibitions of McCahon’s art and among his many books are a major two-volume work on McCahon. He writes regularly for Art New Zealand and major art catalogues. In 2017 he received the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement.

Newsroom, book of the week, reviewed by Martin Edmond. “A magnificent achievement in scholarship. It is also a typically handsome and accessible production by Te Papa Press.” ; RNZ Nine to Noon, reviewed by Lynn Freeman. “The transcription of all of these letters I think in itself is a gold medal achievement. … It’s beautifully illustrated, just a lovely, lovely book. … You will learn so much, and as an anatomy of a friendship it is actually beautiful.” ; Art New Zealand magazine, reviewed by Michael Dunn. “[A] remarkable publication. … The inclusion of colour plates of some of McCahon’s paintings referred to in the letters greatly helps the reader to follow the often detailed discussion between the correspondents. … Viewed overall the letters provide fresh information not only about McCahon and O’Reilly but also about the art world at that time.” ; New Zealand Arts Review, by John Daly-Peoples. “The book is a masterpiece of academic scholarship and shows a daunting level of hard work … to make the contents of the letters fully accessible to contemporary readers. … [The letters] provide a fascinating insight into a relationship which is both personal as well as verging on the philosophical and spiritual as they both try to understand their own and each other’s motivations and ideas.”

• PrefacePart I: 1944-1951Part II: 1953-1964Part III: 1966-1981Riffing Ron - Mathew O'ReillyAn Inherent View - Finn McCahon-JonesAppendicesImage creditsAbout the contributorsIndex