For the first time in 36 years, the works of New Zealand's most
famous portrait painters Charles Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer are
being shown together for this comparative exhibition. The
individual portraits are of Maori and Pakeha identities; invested
with cultural history, mana and authority. Goldie's approach to
portraiture was technical excellence and impressive drawing skills
while Lindauer's approach to portraiture was to capture the very
presence of the subject. Both artists works are felt by many to be
true and faithful portraits of Maori. They provide insights and
information for a history of Aotearoa, making them destination
paintings for both local and international visitors.
Image: Gottfried Lindauer, Tamati Waka
Nene, 1890, oil on canvas
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki gift of Mr H E Partridge,
1915
The exhibition addresses a number of powerful issues that are characteristic of this period. These include a concentration on the expressive power of colour and pattern making in both abstract and figurative art; a belief in the value of personal artistic vision, and the rapid emergence of women artists and a trust in feminist experience. For many artists the personal became the political and vice versa, and nowhere more so than in the area of public protest. While many argued against the domination of nuclear powers in the Pacific and the anti-war movement internationally, at home many artists spoke out for the rights of women, and for the voices of Aotearoa New Zealand's indigenous peoples to be heard.
In 1984 a hikoi was organised to Waitangi to challenge
traditional celebrations which were seen to reinforce the status
quo and ignore Māori needs. Gil Hanly's black and white photographs
of the event captures the dignity and determination of the
protesters, who included representatives of many tribes. The day
was followed by two hui which focused on calling a halt to any
further celebrations until such time as the Treaty of Waitangi was
honoured.
Image: Ian Scott, Sky Dash, 1969-1970,
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, gift of the
Artist
What is the Walters Prize?
The 2010 finalists
How are the finalists
selected?
The Jurors
What the Jury had to
say
Who makes the final
decision?
The Judge
Who do you think will win?
The Walters Prize is New Zealand's most prestigious contemporary art prize. This biennial award recognises an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to contemporary art in New Zealand in the two years prior. Named in honour of artist Gordon Walters, it was established by founding benefactors and principal donors Erika and Robin Congreve and Dame Jenny Gibbs to make contemporary art a more widely recognised and debated and prominent feature of New Zealand cultural life.
Since its inception in 2002, winning artists have been Yvonne Todd (2002), et al. (2004), Francis Upritchard (2006) and Peter Robinson (2008). Each received $50,000, plus the chance to travel to New York and exhibit at Saatchi & Saatchi headquarters.
Dan Arps: Explaining Things shown at Gambia Castle,
Auckland (7-24 December 2008)
Watch an interview with Dan
Fiona Connor: Something Transparent (please go round the
back) shown at Michael Lett, Auckland (15 April - 16 May 2009)
Watch an interview with Fiona
Saskia Leek: Yellow is the Putty of the World shown at
Ivan Anthony Gallery, Auckland (25 November - 23 December 2009)
Watch an interview with Saskia
Alex Monteith: Passing Manoeuvre with Two Motorcycles and 584
Vehicles for Two-Channel Video shown at ST PAUL St, Auckland
(19 June - 7 July 2008)
Watch an interview with with Alex
A jury of experts have been observing exhibitions around the country since the last announcement. They met for the first time early this year to decide the four 2010 finalists.
Jon Bywater - Programme Leader, Critical Studies at Elam School
of Fine Art, The University of Auckland.
Rhana Devenport - Director, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New
Plymouth
Leonhard Emmerling - Visual Arts Adviser, Goethe Institute, Munich,
Germany, former Director, ST PAUL St, AUT University
Kate Montgomery - Director, Physics Room, Christchurch
"The five projects or bodies of work we have selected for the Walters Prize 2010 were chosen for what they have in common. As the Prize's criteria stipulate, they are considered to be the most outstanding contributions to contemporary New Zealand art shown in the time since the last Prize was shortlisted. At the same time, however, they are quite unalike. They offer notably different kinds of pleasures and puzzles, and have been created through contrasting artistic approaches. This highlights a key challenge of our task as jurors, which has been to remain alert to what impacts in a valuable way on the practice and reception of New Zealand art. Mediated by debate, our collective sense of what constitutes artistic excellence agreed on the diverse successes of each project."
The finalists work is exhibited at the Gallery and, on the basis of this exhibition, an international judge selects the winner. Previous judges have included Harald Szeemann, Robert Storr, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, and Catherine David.
Auckland Art Gallery is delighted to announce that highly respected former-director of London's Tate Modern, Vicente Todoli will judge the Walters Prize 2010 and announce the award winner on 8 October.
Vicente was director of London's Tate Modern from 2003-2010. He was a prime mover in the Tate's global success - now the most visited modern art museum in the world. From 1989-96 Todolí was artistic director for The Valencia Institute for Modern Art (IVAM), Spain, and before it opened he was their Chief curator. Throughout his distinguished career he organised and curated internationally renowned exhibitions of work by contemporary artists, making him the perfect choice to be this years judge.
Vote for your favourite finalist to put them in the running for the People's Choice 2010. Click here to vote
Join conversations about the Walters Prize 2010 in The
Neighbourhood. Our community lounge for discussion, debate and
sharing of information and ideas.
See the Walters
Prize forum
Erika and Robin Congreve
and Dame Jenny Gibbs
Dayle Mace
This weekends Kids Club:
Today we paint - but in a very special way. We will slowly
create an image on canvas board using a dry brush style with
carefully thought out brush strokes. And what will we paint? Our
favourite toy of course!
Focus artist - Tony Fomison Jack in the Box.
Booking Information:
Ideal for all budding artists from 5 to 10 years.
We advise booking to avoid disappointment
Telephone (64 9) 307 4540 between 10am and 5pm
or email kidsclub@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz
Workshops start promptly at 11am and 2pm so please arrive early to confirm your booking. Workshops are for 1 hour duration.
Workshops may be documented and images used by the Gallery for publicising children and family activities. Please let Gallery staff know if do not wish your child to be filmed or photographed.
]]>Art Lounge - free
Location to be announced
]]>Friends' members are invited to attend the opening and get first pick of the artworks. Artworks are for sale and proceeds go directly to our student members.This is a great opportunity to meet and support some of our student members and to enrich your home with an original artwork by an emerging young artist.
Members and exhibitors inivited please RSVP by Tuesday 14th of September.
"Alternate Realities." Open to the Public, Friday 17th - Friday 23rd Sept, 11.00am - 3.00pm at St Paul St Gallery 3 (closed Sunday and Mondays).
]]>
Tour duration - one hour
Limited to 20 people per tour
Booking essential ph 307 4540
To confirm your place, tickets must be collected 15 minutes prior to the tour from the Gallery information desk
]]>This weekends Kids Club:
Today, special quest animator & book illustrator
Raymond McGrath from Flux Animation Studio will show how us to make
a cartoon character come alive with loads of expressions.
Focus artist - Denys Watkins Suspended Animation, 1986
Booking Information:
Ideal for all budding artists from 5 to 10 years.
We advise booking to avoid disappointment
Telephone (64 9) 307 4540 between 10am and 5pm
or email kidsclub@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz
Workshops start promptly at 11am and 2pm so please arrive early to confirm your booking. Workshops are for 1 hour duration.
Workshops may be documented and images used by the Gallery for publicising children and family activities. Please let Gallery staff know if do not wish your child to be filmed or photographed.
]]>This can be followed by a walk around the site perimeter for those interested in viewing the construction site close up.
]]>No bookings taken
Please note that there will be no valuations given
Rather than the standard catwalk format, their creations will be modelled over an extended period in the exhibition spaces between 6pm to 7pm.
Auckland Art Gallery New Gallery - free
Strictly limited audience numbers - no bookings taken
Doors open at 5pm
Tour duration - one hour
Limited to 15 people per tour
Booking essential ph 307 4540
To confirm your place, please collect your ticket 15 minutes prior
to the tour from the Gallery's information desk.
This weekends Kids Club:
Could a home, bach or cubby house be a peice of sculpture?
Why not we say! Today we design what we would wish to live in (or
escape to) as a special wall mounted artwork.
Focus artist - Neil Dawson Interior V and Interior
IX, 1979
Booking Information:
Ideal for all budding artists from 5 to 10 years.
We advise booking to avoid disappointment
Telephone (64 9) 307 4540 between 10am and 5pm
or email kidsclub@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz
Workshops start promptly at 11am and 2pm so please arrive early to confirm your booking. Workshops are for 1 hour duration.
Workshops may be documented and images used by the Gallery for publicising children and family activities. Please let Gallery staff know if do not wish your child to be filmed or photographed.
]]>Exhibition spaces - exhibition entry charge applies
This will be another immensely enjoyable and informative lunch.
Members Only -FULLY BOOKED
]]>Tour departs promptly from the Auckland Art Gallery
foyer.
Entry is from the corner Wellesley and Lorne
Streets or upper Khartoum Place off Kitchener Street
Limited spaces - bookings 307 4540 between 10am to 5pm