Betty Curnow
Elizabeth Jamaux Curnow (née Le Cren, 31 October 1911 – 24 September 2005), commonly known as Betty Curnow, was a New Zealand artist. Background. Born in Timaru, New Zealand, Curnow was the daughter of Charles John Le Cren and Daisy Le Cren (née Roberts). Daisy was also an artist, painting watercolours. Curnow died in Geraldine, New Zealand, in 2005. She was married to Allen Curnow, although the marriage was dissolved in 1965; they had a daughter and two sons, one of whom is New Zealand poet and art critic Wystan Curnow. Career. Curnow was a painter and printmaker. She  exhibited with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, and 'The Group' in 1964 She is depicted in her close friend Rita Angus' painting, "Portrait of Betty Curnow." Curnow and Angus collaborated on the painting, selected clothing and objects that would best symbolise the threads of Curnow's life as a daughter, wife and mother. The work also inspired Louise Henderson's "Portrait of Betty Curnow". Works by Curnow are held in the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Further reading. Artist files for Curnow are held at: Also see: