Frame's legacy "exquisite and compelling writing"

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 29 January 2004

Janet Frame leaves rich legacy of “exquisite and compelling writing”

Janet Frame, who died in Dunedin this morning, has left New Zealand and the rest of the world a rich legacy of her ''exquisite and compelling writing'', Creative New Zealand’s Chief Executive Elizabeth Kerr says.

“Janet Frame has made an extraordinary contribution to both New Zealand and the world’s literary canon,” Miss Kerr says. “Reading Janet Frame’s novels and poetry is to take a journey into what it means to be human. Her death is a sad loss for writers and readers throughout the world, and for New Zealanders.”

In November last year, Janet Frame was one of three outstanding New Zealand writers to receive the inaugural Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement. Non-fiction writer Michael King and poet Hone Tuwhare were also recognised.

Although unable to attend the ceremony at Parliament, Janet Frame said of the recognition: “It was quite wonderful to receive the award, alongside two writers who are also friends.”

In December, Miss Kerr and Rosemary Wildblood, Creative New Zealand’s Arts Adviser, Literature, visited Janet Frame at her home in Dunedin. There, they presented her with the citation for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement, which were held in association with Creative New Zealand.

“It was a special day for us and I believe that for Janet, receiving the Prime Minister’s Award was an affirmation and a celebration of all that she had achieved as one of New Zealand’s foremost writers of fiction,” Miss Kerr says.

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