A prolific and visionary artist Colin McCahon had a huge influence on post-war modernist art in New Zealand.  He saw the spirit of humankind and God within the NZ landscape.  He painted scenes from North Otago, Nelson and Northland and sought to communicate his concerns for faith, spirituality, life and death.  In his work McCahon incorporated numbers and writing in Maori and English, including text from the Bible and poetry.