The Daughters

Janet Elaine Paul (née Wilkinson) was a publisher, artist, and art historian. She was born in Remuera, Tāmaki Makaurau, in 1919. In 1945, she married David Blackwood Paul (1908–1965). They lived in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, where Blackwood ran Paul’s Book Arcade, a successful bookshop established by his father in 1901. Together, the couple published books, first as Paul’s Book Arcade and later as Blackwood and Janet Paul. They saw into print many authors and works of note. Among their most important publications are Bill Pearson’s novel, Coal Flat (1963), and Hone Tuwhare’s first collection of poems, No Ordinary Sun (1964). Janet was often involved in the design of the books, which are famed for their handsomeness. She was active in the local art scene, making work of her own and encouraging other artists, such as Margot Philips.

Following Blackwood’s death in 1965, Janet relocated to Tāmaki Makaurau. In 1967, she sold Blackwood and Janet Paul to Longmans and Longman Paul was formed. She remained a partner until 1969, the same year The Daughters was painted. She moved to Te Whanganui-a-Tara in 1970 and was art librarian at the Alexander Turnbull Library from 1971 to 1980. She painted throughout her career. Works were included in various group exhibitions of note and were acquired by major institutions, including Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. In 1983, an important solo show, Janet Paul: Journey Through My Island was held at Wellington City Art Gallery (now City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi). She was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to publishing, writing, and painting in 1997.

The Daughters was painted at Janet’s Auckland home on Sarawia Street, Parnell. It shows three of her daughters. On the left is Jane Paul (about 11 when the work was painted), who became an archivist and artist. She holds one of her pet homing pigeons. In the centre is Joanna Margaret Paul (about 24), a well-known artist and poet, who is represented in the Fletcher Trust Collection by Untitled (Interior). She plays a recorder. On the right is Mary Paul (about 17), a scholar of New Zealand literature. She holds a book, from which she appears to be reciting. (Janet’s fourth daughter, Charlotte Paul, a highly respected doctor and medical professor, does not appear in the work.)

The Daughters evokes a warm home environment and rich family life. The flowers and plants present quietly suggest flourishing and abundance. The work was previously owned by writer Keith Ovenden and economist Helen Sutch (daughter of William Ball ‘Bill’ Sutch and Shirley Smith), who were friends and, for a time, neighbours of Janet’s in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.