Ans Westra (1936 - 2023)

Ans Westra was one of New Zealand's most important documentary photographers. Active from the 1960s through to 2020s, she was made Companion of the Order of New Zealand Merit in 1998, and Art Foundation Icon in 2007.
Her work was published in several issues of PhotoForum magazine, as well as its precursor title New Zealand Photography in the early 1970s. We were especially proud to support the survey publication Handboek: Ans Westra Photographs published by BWX in 2004 and designated as PhotoForum #71/72. Ans was a long standing PhotoForum member and served as director of PhotoForum/Wellington for several years.

Aroha to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.

Tribute exhibitions are being staged at Suite Galleries’ Auckland and Wellington sites from 23 March to 11 April.

Below are links to some of the many tributes that have been published online.

Ans Westra by Joseph Kelly (2020). Published in The Big Idea, 26 February 2023

Loss Of An Icon - Ans Westra Remembered
The Big Idea, 26 February 2023

Adrienne Martyn, Ans Westra, Wellington, 1987. From the series: ‘Artist’s portraits’, black and white photograph, gelatin silver print, 1987, Wellington. Te Papa (O.003817). Published on the Te Papa Blog, 3 March 2023.

Ans Westra, photographer (1936–2023)
By Athol McCredie, Te Papa Blog, 3 March 2023

Ans Westra, Self-portrait, Te Kaha, 1963

Ans Westra, Youth Club, Whakatāne, 1963. Published in The New York Times, 8 March 2023

Ans Westra, 86, Dies; Her Photos Captured a Changing New Zealand
Natasha Frost for The New York Times, 8 March 2023

 

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