Angus, Rita (1908–1970)

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Angus, Rita (1908–1970)

New Zealand artist. Name variations: signed work Rita Cook (1930–46); changed name to Henrietta Catherine McKenzie (father's middle name) by deed poll. Born Henrietta Catherine Angus, Mar 12, 1908, in Hastings, New Zealand; died Jan 25, 1970, in New Zealand; studied painting at Canterbury School of Art, Christchurch, and Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland; m. Alfred Cook (artist), 1930 (div. 1934).

Helped establish a distinct New Zealand style of painting and landscape (1930s–40s); best known paintings include Cass (1936), Head of a Maori Boy (1938), Portrait of Betty Curnow (1942), Sun Goddess (1949), and Self-portrait (1966).