LEO BENSEMANN

Bensemann lived in Christchurch from 1931 where he briefly attended the Canterbury College School of Art. As the son of German parents he retained a great interest in Germanic culture. He worked as printer for the Caxton Press and illustrated Fantastica

(1937), a series of impressive fantasy drawings of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus and the Brothers Grimm that emphasise his abilities as a surrealist artist and 'Regionalist' painter.

From 1938 he shared a studio and kitchen facilities at 97 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch, with Rita Angus, developing a friendship that led to Cambridge Terrace becoming a meeting place for serious artists and writers. From 1938 Bensemann also exhibited with 'The Group', also designing its annual exhibition catalogues.

Bensemann has works in the collection of all major art museums in New Zealand including Te Papa Tongarewa and the Christchurch Art Gallery.