Margaret Mahy Unveiled

18 August 2003

Councillor Anna Crighton is to unveil a portrait of well known author Margaret Mahy at Central City Library on Monday.

Christchurch City Libraries manager Sue Sutherland said, “the portrait was purchased with the assistance of The Friends of Christchurch City Libraries to honour the contribution, which author Margaret Mahy has made to Christchurch City Libraries,”

The portrait is part of a series, 'The Face of the Writer - portraits of New Zealand Writers,’ by respected and prominent artist Glenda Randerson. The series was a six year project, and has toured public galleries for the last two years.

Margaret Mahy lives in Governor’s Bay and has had a long association with Christchurch City Libraries, Sue Sutherland said. “Margaret was the Children's Librarian from 1976 to 1980, when she resigned to become a full-time writer. We also have a collection of New Zealand children's books, including Margaret’s, in the ‘Margaret Mahy Collection.”

Earlier this year, Margaret Mahy was presented The Press Award, honouring South Island writers. She has held writing fellowships in New Zealand and Australia, and in 1993 was awarded the Order of New Zealand and an honorary doctorate from the University of Canterbury.

Margaret Mahy's first published book was A Lion in the Meadow in 1969. Beginning with The Changeover in 1984, Margaret has incorporated New Zealand detail in her books, moving away from traditional European settings. Her work has been translated into fifteen languages.

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