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Leo Vernon Bensemann (1 May 1912 – 2 January 1986) was a New Zealand artist, printer, typographer, publisher and editor.
Bensemenn was born in
Leo Vernon Bensemann (1 May 1912 – 2 January 1986) was a New Zealand artist, printer, typographer, publisher and editor.
Bensemenn was born in Tākaka
Tākaka is a small town situated at the southeastern end of Golden Bay, at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island, located on the lower reaches of the Tākaka River. State Highway 60 runs through Takaka and follows the river valley b ...
, New Zealand, on 1 May 1912. He moved to Christchurch
Christchurch ( ; mi, Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon River / ...
in 1931 with his friend Lawrence Baigent. In February 1938, Bensemann and Baigent moved into a flat at 97 Cambridge Terrace where artist Rita Angus
Rita Angus (12 March 1908 – 25 January 1970), a New Zealand painter, has a reputation - along with Colin McCahon and Toss Woollaston - as one of the leading figures in twentieth-century New Zealand art. She worked primarily in oil and water c ...
was living. On Angus's nomination he joined The Group
The Group may refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Group'' (Australian TV series), 1971 situation comedy produced by Cash Harmon Television for ATN7
* ''The Group'' (Canadian TV series), 1968–70 music variety on CBC Television
* ''The Group ...
in 1938. Seven of the nine works he submitted to this exhibition were portraits – including a self-portrait, a portrait of Rita Angus and one of Lawrence Baigent.
In 1937 the Caxton Press printed their first art publication, Bensemann's “Fantastica: Thirteen Drawings”. Bensemann assisted with the printing of the book and this led to his joining Caxton Press in 1938. He stayed with Caxton until 1978.
In the 1985 New Year Honours
The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1
** The Internet's Domain Name System is created.
** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a ...
, Bensemann was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
, for services to art, literature and printing.
References
1912 births 1986 deaths People educated at Nelson College 20th-century New Zealand male artists New Zealand publishers (people) New Zealand editors New Zealand Officers of the Order of the British Empire People from Tākaka People associated with The Group (New Zealand art) New Zealand printmakers New Zealand illustrators {{NewZealand-business-bio-stub