Hand-Coloured New Zealand

For many, New Zealand’s hand-coloured landscape photographs of the 1940s and 1950s have become iconic and coveted mid-century art, forming part of their home décor and art collections, particularly those by Whites Aviation Ltd. Formed in 1945 by Leo White, Whites Aviation was photographing New Zealand from the air before colour photography and Google Maps even existed. Captured in black and white, these landscapes were then hand-coloured by a team of colourists.

In a celebration of this art form, a new book has been published. “Hand-Coloured New Zealand: The Photographs of Whites Aviation” by Peter Alsop is a 190-page hard covered book that explores the history of aviation and hand-coloured photography in New Zealand. While the focus is very much on Whites Aviation, a contemporary chapter also delves into the work of Geraldine artist, photographer and hand-colourist, Susan Badcock.

Susan says she is excited to feature in the book. “I’m inspired and excited. It feels very special and I feel understood in what I’m doing.” She goes on to explain the book is one of “the most exciting things for me on the history of hand-colouring. There are lots of images around but there’s very little information about it other than a few techniques. A dying art is being revived.”

Susan began hand-colouring when she was at art school and working with old cameras and techniques. Printing photos in black and white, she was able to introduce her own colour and artistically enhance her work. “I de-saturate the colour and re-colour it in my mind” she says. Susan realised early on that hand-colouring gave each piece originality over mass-produced photos. The film, “Schindler’s List” was a timely inspiration. Susan says “The red girl got me thinking. Everything was black and white except the girl.”

Ironically, Susan’s grandfather, the late Douglas Badcock and renowned artist, was also a hand-colourist around the inception of Whites Aviation, working as an aerial photographer and doing mapping during World War Two. Susan regrets she didn’t know this earlier and hasn’t been able to source any of his photography work.

Susan says “Hand-Coloured New Zealand: The Photographs of Whites Aviation” is available at the usual book stores, plus she has a copy in Susan Badcock Studio for anyone interested in viewing it.

Pip Goldsbury

Check out this article featuring Susan Badcock's work http://www.digitalrev.com/article/colouring-in