WRIGHT, WALTER (1866-1933) was born in Nottinghamshire and came to New Zealand with his parents at the age of 11. He exhibited at the Auckland Society of Arts (of which he was a life member) from 1888. He and his brother Frank studied in England (1894-97) at the Heatherley School and later came under the influence of the Newlyn school. Frank (1860-1923) kept to water colours, but Walter used both mediums. They travelled a good deal in New Zealand, and were the first artists to exploit the beauties of the west coast of Auckland and the Urewera. Walter's most ambitious work is the 'Massacre of the Boyd' (in the Auckland Art Gallery). The brothers executed the illustrations for a book on New Zealand by W. P. Reeves, published in London in 1908. Walter taught painting until his sight failed. He died on 11 Jan 1933.

John Barr, Art; N.Z. Herald, 13 Jan 1933; Art in N.Z., Mar 1933.

Reference: Volume 2, page 270

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