Born in Timaru in 1929, Jacqueline Fahey is one of New Zealand’s most iconic living artists. She is known for her distinctive style of painting, which incorporates narratives of domesticity and suburbia, interpersonal relationships, and critiques of restrictive gender roles.

Tragedy outside the Dairy II is a work from 2003. Portraying a suburban setting, the painting shows the titular tragedy in play. A figure lies prone and bleeding in front of a pedestrian crossing outside a dairy (not shown but signalled by the presence of quintessentially Kiwi streetside signs advertising Coca Cola, Anchor milk and Tip Top ice cream). A small crowd of onlookers are gathered around the fallen figure. Background houses, along with several cars, a child, and a pair of dogs complete the scene.

Tragedy outside the Dairy II features the approach to figurative painting that the artist has become widely celebrated for. With its broad range of characters in a scene of unfolding action, it creates a sense of life and vitality – even while portraying someone’s untimely demise. Set in a seemingly familiar suburban context, it draws aspects of familiar New Zealand culture into the fold of painting.