John Coley: key obituary facts
Is John Coley dead? Yes. John Coley died on March 17, 2026, at age 91.
Cause of death: John Coley's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was John Coley known for?
John Coley was a New Zealand painter.
More about John Coley
Born: January 28, 1935.
Known for: Painting, art criticism, curation and art administration.
John Coley, a New Zealand painter and art critic, died on March 17, 2026, aged 91.
John William Coley MBE was born in Palmerston North on 28 January 1935. He attended Palmerston North Boys’ High School and took evening art classes at the city’s Technical School before beginning work as a cadet reporter on the Manawatu Evening Standard.
In 1955, he studied at the Canterbury College School of Art in Christchurch. Coley later served as director of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, now known as the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, from 1981 to 1995.
John William Coley MBE (28 January 1935 – 17 March 2026) was a New Zealand painter and art critic. He was director of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery (now known as the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu) from 1981 to 1995.