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John Badcock

b. 1952

New Zealand artist

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About John Badcock

Born 1952. John Badcock is a New Zealand artist.

John Badcock (born 1952, Queenstown ) is a New Zealand artist based in Geraldine, South Canterbury. Badcock attended Queenstown Primary School and Waitaki Boys High School before training as a wood carver and cabinet maker.

In 2003, he exhibited The Last Supper at ChristChurch Cathedral before the work later toured New Zealand. This work was painted during 2001-2002 after Badcock viewed religious frescoes during a visit to Europe. The 13-metre long work consists of 13 panels, each two metres high, depicting Christ's Last Supper. The figures are depicted in a modern setting, and each one is a self-portrait of Badcock. Badcock said that the subjects of the portraits were family, friends and "anyone who approached me or who I bumped into or called at the house or studio". Each person sat for two, one-hour sessions while Badcock drew them. Some of the portraits were created at a temporary studio set up in Timaru so that Badcock could find new subjects. It took Badcock 10 months to create the portraits, averaging one every three days. The work was exhibited around New Zealand, Badcock self-published 1000 copies of a book to complement the works, with each of the sitters contributing something about themselves to accompany the portraits.

Badcock was a finalist in the biennial Adam Portraiture Award in 2000 (when it was known as the National Portrait Competition) and in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012.

He is the subject of two New Zealand Art Films: John Badcock – a Film by Brian High, and A Changing Landscape – A Film by Simon Pattison.

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People in John Badcock's life

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Frequently asked questions

Who is John Badcock?

New Zealand artist

When was John Badcock born?

John Badcock was born on 15 September 1952.

What is John Badcock's occupation?

John Badcock is an artist.

What nationality is John Badcock?

John Badcock is New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Badcock

· Wikidata: Q6220220

· DBpedia: John Badcock (artist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Badcock. https://biography.guide/john-badcock-artist/

MLA: "John Badcock." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-badcock-artist/.

Chicago: "John Badcock." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-badcock-artist/.

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