Houses Lancashire


Posted by Admin

Houses Lancashire

Houses Lancashire

Michael Browne was conceived in an alpine hut on the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand, but was born in Wigan Lancashire UK. His mother, Ruth D Browne, a noted artist, travelled with Michael’s father to England in 1930 to meet his mother. Ruth stayed to take advantage of the opportunity to train at the Slade School of Fine Art, and her sister came from the United States to look after Michael while she studied.

Michael Browne, an Artist From Artists

Michael, today a well-known abstractionist, arrived back in New Zealand in 1933 and lived with his mother at Franz Josef until 1940. Ruth supported them by painting, eventually having reproductions made which sold more readily to the tourists who visited Franz Josef. Michael’s father, Alan C Browne, was also an artist, as well as a mountain climber and guide at Mt Cook and Fox Glacier. Painter, Ethel Richardson, known as Aunty Fluff, had bought him paints and sent him to Canterbury College of Art (CCA) where he met Ruth in 1928. Ruth was then winning art prizes ahead of Rita Angus and Russell Clark who were also at CCA.

Michael grew up around his mother painting, but he didn't learn the skills from her. “Her paintings were around the house," he says, "and she clearly loved it. I learnt from her, probably by osmosis, to always buy the best possible materials.”