Mosaic work for public display

Three major works of internationally acclaimed Kaikohe mosaic artist Margaret Coupe have been acquired by the Far North District Council and will be retained in public ownership.


The three mosaics are the only remaining Coupe works held by her family which are not already in either private or public ownership.


The Far North artist died three years ago, leaving behind an incredible portfolio of accomplishment including more than 50 major works crafted over nearly 40 years involvement as a mosaicist.


The three works were offered to the council by her sister and autobiographer Erica Speden. Two have been aquired for the Kaikohe Library and the third will be held on permanent display at the council's headquarters at Kaikohe.


Her better known commission work includes a mosaic for the international Peace Park in Ravenna, Italy and a piece for the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors in the form of a mosaic for the base of the institute's centennial sundial at Maiki Hill, Russell. The Maiki Hill work involved between 55,000 and 65,000 tiles, almost all hand made by Margaret.


She has been described by the founder of the International Contemporary Mosaicists' Association, Isotta Roncuzzi Fiorentini, as a genius in her field, capable of combining extraordinary sensitivity with perfect technique.


Margaret was born at Russell to Cape Brett lighthouse keepers Eric and Gladys Tarlton in 1922. She was educated at Auckland and Dunedin, returning to the Far North in the late 1950's where she took up permanent residence in Kaikohe.


A Margaret Coupe work is already held by the local library, donated by the Kaikohe Rotoract Club in 1981. The two additions will form the basis of an expanded display of the work of the hometown artist.



A function to mark the return of the mosaics to Kaikohe and to formally pass the works to the council has been arranged by the Western (Hokianga/Kaikohe) Community Board in conjunction with the Kaikohe Library.



There is an open invitation for the public to attend the ceremony and see Margaret Coupe's work on display at the Kaikohe Memorial Hall on Friday 19 February at 10.30 a.m.