Sam Cairncross was born at Marton, New Zealand in 1913. He attended art classes at Wellington Technical College and took up painting seriously in 1942. In 1947 he was awarded a French Government scholarship to study in Paris where he briefly attended Andre L'hote's studio and visited galleries and other artist's studios. He returned to Wellington in 1948 having visited London and New York.

Specializing in Wellington street scenes at a time when other painters were more interested in empty landscapes, by the late 1980s his work was keenly sought for its evocation of the buildings and fashions of an earlier era. He worked as a part time art teacher for adult art classes in the Wellington area.

His vigor...