B.

Many Happy returns Florence

Behind the scenes

We wish artist Florence Akins all the very best as she celebrates her 106th year this week.

Florence Akins The Metalworker (1932) Linocut. Collection Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, gifted by the artist, 1997. 

Florence Akins The Metalworker (1932) Linocut. Collection Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, gifted by the artist, 1997. 

Florence was born in Christchurch and studied at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts under Francis Shurrock. She began teaching at the the School in 1927 and remained there until 1969.  The gallery holds the 1932 linocut titled The Metalworker which in many ways reflects the interest and popularity of the linocut medium in England at this time, an interest that extended to artists such as Florence in New Zealand.