Leading New Zealand figurative expressionist artist
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Key moments and achievements from Philip Trusttum's life.
Philip was born
· Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Education
In 1965, Trusttum graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts, where he studied under Rudolf Gopas who introduced him to expressionism. He also became a member of The Group, an influential collective of Canterbury artists whose members included Colin McCahon and Toss Woollaston.
Education
In 1965, Trusttum graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts, where he studied under Rudolf Gopas who introduced him to expressionism. He also became a member of The Group, an influential collective of Canterbury artists whose members included Colin McCahon and Toss Woollaston.
Won Award
In 1967, Trusttum was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council scholarship for travel to develop his artistic practice. His subsequent travels to North America and Europe broadened his artistic horizons and influenced the vibrant, energetic style that would become his signature throughout a career spanning over five decades.
Won Award
In 1967, Trusttum was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council scholarship for travel to develop his artistic practice. His subsequent travels to North America and Europe broadened his artistic horizons and influenced the vibrant, energetic style that would become his signature throughout a career spanning over five decades.
Career Achievement
From the early 1970s, Trusttum developed his signature style of large-scale, energetic, colourful figurative expressionist works on unstretched canvas. His subjects, drawn from everyday life from house renovation to tennis, horses to Japanese masks, were transformed into semi-abstract forms that became instantly recognizable throughout New Zealand.
Career Achievement
From the early 1970s, Trusttum developed his signature style of large-scale, energetic, colourful figurative expressionist works on unstretched canvas. His subjects, drawn from everyday life from house renovation to tennis, horses to Japanese masks, were transformed into semi-abstract forms that became instantly recognizable throughout New Zealand.
Won Award
In 2000, Trusttum became only the second New Zealand artist to be awarded the Pollock Krasner Foundation grant, a prestigious international award supporting visual artists of established merit. This rare distinction placed him in elite company among New Zealand artists and recognized his contribution to contemporary painting.
Won Award
In 2000, Trusttum became only the second New Zealand artist to be awarded the Pollock Krasner Foundation grant, a prestigious international award supporting visual artists of established merit. This rare distinction placed him in elite company among New Zealand artists and recognized his contribution to contemporary painting.
Won Award
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Trusttum was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to art. This national recognition honored a prolific career spanning over five decades of vibrant works that helped define New Zealand's artistic identity on the world stage.
Won Award
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Trusttum was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to art. This national recognition honored a prolific career spanning over five decades of vibrant works that helped define New Zealand's artistic identity on the world stage.
Philip Trusttum passed away
