Ex-inmate donates poet portrait

The dramatic work in oils was painted in 1985 in an Australian prison by Carl Otto, a self-taught artist who began painting while serving a life sentence for murder.

New Zealander Barrie Woolston, who was in prison for armed robbery, asked Otto to paint Baxter from a photo on the cover of Jerusalem Sonnets after being inspired by his poetry.

"I was writing poems at the time and Baxter was one of my influences. There was a little bit of `folding' changed hands. Even in those places if you know your way around you can get your hands on a bit."

Mr Woolston brought the painting back to New Zealand when he returned in 1986 and one of the first things he did was to have it mounted and framed.

After 20 years of enjoying the portrait, the resident of Marton in the Rangitikei decided it was time to share it with a bigger audience. He drove to Wellington yesterday and delivered it to Portrait Gallery director Avenal McKinnon, who welcomed the donation.

"It's always important to get a portrait of a significant New Zealander. We're slightly different from most art galleries because the subject is of paramount importance for us. To get a portrait of James K Baxter, who is one of our really important poets, is wonderful."

Mr Woolston has lost contact with the artist but he is sure he would have kept painting after his release in the 1990s.

"He was a guy who I got on with reasonably well and I just really appreciated how talented he was."

The gallery also received a painting of Gisa Taglicht, a pioneer of women's rhythmic gymnastics, donated by David Zwartz yesterday.

The paintings will be held at the gallery's offices in Turnbull House, Bowen St. They can be seen only by appointment because the gallery does not own a permanent exhibition space.

- © Fairfax NZ News