McCormack (1883-1973) was born in Napier and became an artist due to lingering physical illness in his late teens. He was a self-taught artist and exhibited regularly at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington, working mainly in watercolours to depict landscapes, still lifes, figure studies and portraits. McCormack was awarded an OBE in 1956 for his services to art. His work is held in multiple public and private collections, including Te Papa Tongarewa.
