Saying Goodbye to Tony

Allen Maddox was part of a well-known artist trio that also included Philip Clairmont and Tony Fomison. All three studied at the Ilam School of Fine Arts in Ōtautahi, and all three later lived in Tāmaki Makaurau. Clairmont passed away in 1984. This painting makes reference to the death of Fomison on 6 February, Waitangi Day, 1990. In Auckland, Maddox was also close to Emily Karaka, who shared his interest in expressionist practice, and Richard McWhannell, who favours an often haunting form of figuration.