It’s not every day celebrated artist Dinah Priestley has all three of her daughters home at the same time because the talented trio is dotted all over the show. Tandi Wright is an Auckland-based actor whose had starring roles in Creamerie, Nothing Trivial and Shortland Street. Middle sister Justine Wright is a sought-after film editor who lives in London and whose work has won Academy Awards, while eldest sister Nikki Wright is a distinguished environmental writer and eco-artist, currently campaigning for urban pollinator berms in Porirua.
Which is why 87-year-old Dinah was especially joyful when the stars recently aligned and all three daughters were gathered together at the family home, a rambling, treasure-filled villa in Wellington.
“We were there to celebrate Mum’s beautiful new book An Eccentric History in Batik, which is just beautiful,” a proud Tandi tells the Weekly.
Full of stunning images, Dinah’s book doubles as a history of New Zealand’s counter-culture, taking readers on a journey through the eclectic art she created with her partner, the late Tony Burton, who was also an artist and actor.
Celebrating the New Zealand character
“This is a legacy book with all our work together in one place, but it’s also a celebration of the New Zealand character,” explains Dinah, who’s only just learning to slow down.
“Seeing people respond to Mum’s book is incredibly special too,” says Tandi.
“People like Robyn Malcolm, Ginette MacDonald and Karen O’Leary have all offered beautiful quotes for the press material.”
A stunning legacy
Inscribed for “our darling family, those gone, those here, those to come”, the offering is indeed stunning – but it’s not Dinah’s first book, in fact it’s her ninth. An Eccentric History showcases a broad range of New Zealanders, from historical figures to strippers, shearers to politicians.
“I especially enjoy it when my work makes people laugh,” admits Dinah.
“There’s enough doom and gloom. I like to be positive, and remind people that Kiwis are funny and quirky, and we should delight in that.”
Dinah also relishes playing many roles. In addition to being an artist, she is a writer, an historian and an actor who starred in 1975 Kiwi soap Close to Home and Hercules.
Two characters, two dramatic deaths
“Mum even played two characters on Shortland Street,” says Tandi.
“And she died twice on the show, which has to be some sort of a record!”
Dinah recalls, “The first time I was on it, Tandi was there too, when I played evil Ian Seymour’s mother. He watched me choke to death on my whiskey. And the second time – Tandi was gone by then – I played Margot Warner, mother to Chris and Guy, and I died that time too.”
Growing up in a creative household
Tandi, who has nothing but admiration for Dinah, enthuses, “Mum has always been wonderfully creative and she passed her love of storytelling on to all of us. Looking back, I don’t know how she kept all the plates in the air, as it’s incredibly hard to make a living and support a family as an artist, and when we were growing up, Mum and Tony worked a lot. “We’d come home from school to a house filled with the smell of beeswax, from batiking, and Italian opera or Parliament blasting through the speakers,” Tandi recalls of those lively years.
“We’d all take turns at cooking dinner and afterwards, Mum and Tony would carry on working, often till the wee small hours. Then Mum would be up early to send us off to school. She is amazing!”
A memoir brimming with wit and warmth
An Eccentric History is both an art memoir and a touching love story that brims with wit, warmth and wisdom – a work of art in its own right. Yet as much as the book is poignant, it has a lightness that draws laughter from readers.
“Mum is very warm and open, playful and fun,” Tandi shares.
“There was always a chaotic creativity in our house – lots of singing, arguing, politics and wearing of silly hats. But when you’re a kid, you don’t realise what your parents give – and give up – for you. That only becomes clearer later in life. I’m so grateful to our trailblazer Mum for all the gifts she gave us.”
Celebrating together
Adds Dinah, “Having all my girls home to celebrate the book is sublime. We have such a laugh when we’re together because life is short, so we have to enjoy it!”
An Eccentric History in Batik by Dinah Priestley is available to buy at Mary Egan Publishing.
