Ron Brownson
Born	1952 Syria
Died	27 February 2023 Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealand
Other names	Ronald Brownson
Alma mater	University of Auckland
Known for	New Zealand and Pacific Arts

Ron Brownson (1952–2023) also Ronald Brownson, was a prominent New Zealand curator who contributed significantly to Māori and Pacific art and culture in New Zealand.^[1] Brownson was the Senior Curator New Zealand and Pacific Art at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.^[2] Brownson also held status as a Queer elder and member of New Zealand's Gay Liberation Movement.^[3]

Education

In 1977 Brownson received a Masters degree from the University of Auckland.^[4] In 2006, the research papers from his Masters thesis on New Zealand realist painter Rita Angus became part of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki's archives.^[4]

Career

Brownson began his career at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in 1978 as a Research Librarian at the EH McCormick Library.^[5][3] In 1995, Brownson became Curator of Photography and Pacific Art, in 2001 this role developed into Curator of New Zealand Art and Senior Curator in 2002. He held the position of Senior Curator New Zealand and Pacific Art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki until his death in March 2023.^[5] Over his career he contributed to a number of pivotal exhibitions at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

In 1990, Brownson gave the first of many talks to come about New Zealand art and artists. He discussed the topic of Rita Angus for the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki exhibition, Two Centuries of New Zealand Landscape Art.^[3]

Dedicating over 40 years of service to the arts, Brownson held many lectures and artist talks over his career, with artists such as Fiona Clark, John Miller, Rueben Paterson.^[2][6][7][8] Brownson was known for advocating and supporting artists, most notably, Niuean artist John Pule and Samoan artist Fatu Feu'u.

In 2008, Brownson won the Illustrated non-fiction award at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards for Bill Hammond: Jingle Jangle Morning, a book written in collaboration with Jennifer Hay, Chris Knox, and Laurence Aberhart.^[9]

Brownson was a former board member and trustee of Tautai Pacific Arts Trust from 2010 until 2023.

Death

Upon Brownson's passing on 27 February 2023, there was an outpour of appreciation from his colleagues at Auckland Art Gallery as well as other galleries and artists he worked with over his career. Brownson's service to art and culture in New Zealand has proved him a significant figure in the G.L.A.M. sector both in New Zealand and internationally.

Long time colleague and friend Ben Bergman of Bergman Gallery said, "A legend has passed." and "Ron leaves an unprecedented legacy of service to New Zealand & Pacific Art." John Gow from Gow Langsford Gallery said "New Zealand has not only lost a great character of the art world but an enormous fountain of knowledge."^[12]

Exhibitions curated

^[13][11]

References

1. ↑ "Ron Brownson (1952 - 2023)". PhotoForum. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
2. 1 2 "Two Tōtara of the Visual Arts world have fallen. Vale Ans Westra. Vale Ron Brownson". creativenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
3. 1 2 3 4 "Auckland Art Gallery". Auckland Art Gallery. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
4. 1 2 "Ron Brownson's Research Papers for a Thesis on Rita Angus". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
5. 1 2 Amery, Mark (1 March 2023). "The curators caring for people's souls". Stuff. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
6. ↑ Fiona Clark and Ron Brownson in conversation., retrieved 30 November 2023
7. ↑ Thank you John Miller for 40 Years of Amazing New Zealand Photography, retrieved 30 November 2023
8. ↑ He kōrero ātaahua: A conversation with Reuben Paterson, retrieved 30 November 2023
9. ↑ "Past Winners: 2008". New Zealand Book Awards Trust. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
10. ↑ Bergman, Ben (2019). Andy Lelei'uao: KAMOAN MINE. Auckland, New Zealand: Bergman Gallery, TSB Wallace Arts Centre, Creative New Zealand.
11. 1 2 "Auckland Art Gallery". Auckland Art Gallery. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
12. ↑ "A Legend has Passed". The Big Idea. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
13. ↑ Unknown (30 November 2023). "Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki Exhibition History" (PDF).