The Radical, the Reactionary and the Canterbury Society of Arts, 1880-1996

The Canterbury Society of Arts (CSA) dominated the cultural life of Canterbury for nearly a century, playing a vital role in the development of New Zealand art, and this book presents both the society's history its contributions to the art world. Where art societies are often assumed to be conservative and reactionary institutions that failed to nurture the work of younger or more radical artists, this fascinating history reveals a different story. Formed in 1880 by European settlers, the CSA emerged from the start as a progressive art organization that had, over its lifetime, a total of 2259 working members. Directors and committees came and went, numerous obstacles and controversies were encountered, yet the CSA secured Christchurch's reputation as the artistic capital of New Zealand in the middle years of the 20th century.