CURRENTLY:
FACE - a group exhibition with a very human theme
PG gallery192, Christchurch NZ
9–26 July, 2024
FACE - a group exhibition with a very human theme
PG gallery192, Christchurch NZ
9–26 July, 2024
RECENT EXHIBITIONS:
STEM Botanical works on paper Bowen Galleries, Wellington NZ 15 July–4 Aug, 2024 While researching towards The Enlightenment Project, my interest in botanical drawings from 17th - 19th centuries was renewed. They often which describe growth patterns, how the plumbing of plants works and how they reproduce. I had earlier been inspired by the drawings of Sydney Parkinson which were made during the voyage of the Endeavour. And the simplified stems and leaves found on ancient Greek vases have also worked their way into my aesthetic ... |
WORLD The history of the world in 4 leaps plus a parallel view. PG gallery192, Christchurch NZ 9–26 July, 2024 |

A while ago I received an unusual request. WANN, a non-profit organisation, sought permission to reproduce one of my paintings, 'Sisyphus and the Rock', alongside a piece of writing by a teenager living in Gaza. The link came through the other day.
On reading Sara Alsweirki's piece, and seeing the openness of her pre-war face, I was struck and horrified by this young hopeful teenager's daily struggle, which she likens to the dreadful burden/punishment of Sisyphus – "My rock is the war. I stare into its eyes, even when I’m asleep." – The difference is that while Sisyphus displeased the gods, she did not.
Read her piece here (shared with permission): https://wearenotnumbers.org/sisyphus-in-gaza/
On reading Sara Alsweirki's piece, and seeing the openness of her pre-war face, I was struck and horrified by this young hopeful teenager's daily struggle, which she likens to the dreadful burden/punishment of Sisyphus – "My rock is the war. I stare into its eyes, even when I’m asleep." – The difference is that while Sisyphus displeased the gods, she did not.
Read her piece here (shared with permission): https://wearenotnumbers.org/sisyphus-in-gaza/

The Enlightenment Project
An exploration of Western history
First exhibited in 2022 and expanded upon in 2024
PG Gallery192, Christchurch, NZ: 9 Aug - 3 Sept, 2022
Bowen Galleries, Wellington, NZ: 12 Sept - 2 Oct, 2022
Ashburton Art Gallery, NZ: 18 Feb - 14 April, 2024
Marlborough Art Gallery, NZ, 15 March - 21 April, 2025
The Enlightenment Project, catalogue 2022, with essays by Elizabeth Rankin, Giovanni Tiso, Sally Blundell and Marian Maguire.
World, catalogue 2025, images and text Marian Maguire.
An exploration of Western history
First exhibited in 2022 and expanded upon in 2024
PG Gallery192, Christchurch, NZ: 9 Aug - 3 Sept, 2022
Bowen Galleries, Wellington, NZ: 12 Sept - 2 Oct, 2022
Ashburton Art Gallery, NZ: 18 Feb - 14 April, 2024
Marlborough Art Gallery, NZ, 15 March - 21 April, 2025
The Enlightenment Project, catalogue 2022, with essays by Elizabeth Rankin, Giovanni Tiso, Sally Blundell and Marian Maguire.
World, catalogue 2025, images and text Marian Maguire.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
- Te Ata o Tū The Shadow of Tūmatauenga: The New Zealand Wars Collection of Te Papa. Marian Maguire is honoured that her lithograph Socrates and Titokowaru discuss the question 'What is Virtue?' from the 'Titokowaru's Dilemma' series is included in this historically significant publication by Matiu Baker, Katie Cooper, Michael Fitzgerald and Rebecca Rice, Te Papa Press, 2024.
- Flora: Celebrating our Botanical World, edited by Carlos Lehneback, Claire Regnault, Rebecca Rice, Isaac Te Awa and Rachel Yates, Te Papa Press, 2023. This beautiful publication exploring botanical aspects of Te Papa's collection includes Maguire's lithograph from 'The Odyssey of Captain Cook' series: Examples of Fauna and Flora from the South Seas, 2004.
- The Enlightenment Project, Marian Maguire, with essays by Elizabeth Rankin, Giovanni Tiso and Sally Blundell. Published by PaperGraphica, 2022.
- Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors And Heroes: an exhibition from the British Museum, published by National Museum of Australia, 2021. Includes reproduction of Ko wai koe? from The Odyssey of Captain Cook 2005 within an essay by Alastair Blanchard and Diana Burton.
- 'Pandora's Jar: Women in Greek Myths' by Natalie Haynes, published by MacMillan, 2020, includes Marian Maguire's Penelope weaves and waits, painting on fireplace, 2017.
- Te Ata o Tū The Shadow of Tūmatauenga: The New Zealand Wars Collection of Te Papa. Marian Maguire is honoured that her lithograph Socrates and Titokowaru discuss the question 'What is Virtue?' from the 'Titokowaru's Dilemma' series is included in this historically significant publication by Matiu Baker, Katie Cooper, Michael Fitzgerald and Rebecca Rice, Te Papa Press, 2024.
- Flora: Celebrating our Botanical World, edited by Carlos Lehneback, Claire Regnault, Rebecca Rice, Isaac Te Awa and Rachel Yates, Te Papa Press, 2023. This beautiful publication exploring botanical aspects of Te Papa's collection includes Maguire's lithograph from 'The Odyssey of Captain Cook' series: Examples of Fauna and Flora from the South Seas, 2004.
- The Enlightenment Project, Marian Maguire, with essays by Elizabeth Rankin, Giovanni Tiso and Sally Blundell. Published by PaperGraphica, 2022.
- Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors And Heroes: an exhibition from the British Museum, published by National Museum of Australia, 2021. Includes reproduction of Ko wai koe? from The Odyssey of Captain Cook 2005 within an essay by Alastair Blanchard and Diana Burton.
- 'Pandora's Jar: Women in Greek Myths' by Natalie Haynes, published by MacMillan, 2020, includes Marian Maguire's Penelope weaves and waits, painting on fireplace, 2017.
ARTICLE: Straying from Myth
In January 2020, Marian Maguire delivered the 22nd Trendall Lecture as part of the Australasian Society for Classical Studies conference, Otago, New Zealand. She was asked to write up that lecture, which she had delivered with minimal notes, and the writing that resulted has been published in the Australian Humanities Journal 2021. Her essay carries her thoughts forward from the lecture itself.
In January 2020, Marian Maguire delivered the 22nd Trendall Lecture as part of the Australasian Society for Classical Studies conference, Otago, New Zealand. She was asked to write up that lecture, which she had delivered with minimal notes, and the writing that resulted has been published in the Australian Humanities Journal 2021. Her essay carries her thoughts forward from the lecture itself.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS:
- Marian speaks about the 'Goddesses' (production: Craig Ray, The Vivian)
- Marian speaks about 'Titokowaru's Dilemma' (production: British Museum)
- Marian speaks about the 'Goddesses' (production: Craig Ray, The Vivian)
- Marian speaks about 'Titokowaru's Dilemma' (production: British Museum)