Alfreda "Freda" Simmonds (1912–1983) was a painter from New Zealand.

Career

Simmonds studied at the

University of Auckland , mottoeng = By natural ability and hard work , established = 1883; years ago , endowment = NZD $293 million (31 December 2021) , budget = NZD $1.281 billion (31 December 2021) , chancellor = Cecilia Tarrant , vice_chancellor = Dawn ...

. At the end of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, Simmonds moved to

Kaitaia Kaitaia ( mi, Kaitāia) is a town in the Far North District of New Zealand, at the base of the Aupouri Peninsula, about 160 km northwest of Whangārei. It is the last major settlement on State Highway 1. Ahipara Bay, the southern end of N ...

, in the north of New Zealand, and developed an interest in painting. Over several years she developed her artistic techniques at Adult Education Summer Schools in

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about I ...

, New Zealand. Many of Simmonds's works are landscapes and her painting style is

abstract Abstract may refer to: * ''Abstract'' (album), 1962 album by Joe Harriott * Abstract of title a summary of the documents affecting title to parcel of land * Abstract (law), a summary of a legal document * Abstract (summary), in academic publishi ...

, often using "curvi-linear forms" and gradations of colour. Notable works include ''Rimu'' (1958), ''Northern Landscape'', ''Northland Harbour: Houhora Black Swan'', and ''Torea – Pied Oyster Catcher'' sold at International Art Centre, 'The John Leech Collection'. Her work is included in several art collections including the

Victoria University of Wellington Victoria University of Wellington ( mi, Te Herenga Waka) is a university in Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. It was established in 1897 by Act of New Zealand Parliament, Parliament, and was a constituent college of the University of New Z ...

Art Collection.

Exhibitions

Simmons exhibited with Auckland Society of the Arts including the 1959 exhibition, ''Eight New Zealand Painters'' and was included alongside

Jean Horsley Jean Alice Horsley (15 February 1913 – 21 August 1997) was a New Zealand artist. Her work is held in the permanent collection of the Auckland City Art Gallery. Career Horsley attended the Elam School of Fine Art at the University of Auckl ...

and M. Rainier in the 1957 exhibition ''Three Women Painters''. She was active in The Group, an informal art association from

Christchurch Christchurch ( ; mi, Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon Rive ...

, New Zealand, formed to provide a freer alternative to the

Canterbury Society of Arts Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA, formerly the Canterbury Society of Arts) is a curated art gallery in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand. The gallery is administered by the Canterbury Society of Arts (CSA) Charitable Trust. Quart ...

. She contributed works to multiple exhibitions by The Group including in: 1957; 1963; 1964; 1965; 1966 (as Alfreda Simmonds); 1967; 1968; 1969; 1970; 1971; 1973; 1974; and 1977.

Career

Exhibitions

References

Further reading