Overview
This group is now known as the Friends of the Gallery,
established by Eric Westbrook, the first professional Director of
the Gallery from 1953 to 1956. He aimed to bring a 'modern spirit'
to the Gallery, carrying out dramatic internal alterations to the
building, the installation of artificial lighting, and the
programming of concerts, plays, poetry readings and evening art
classes.
The Friends of the Gallery give invaluable support, particularly
for acquisitions of New Zealand and more recently Pacific works for
the collection.
Image credit: Pat Hanly,
Figures In Light 17 (detail), 1964, oil on canvas, Auckland
Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Gift of the Friends of the Auckland Art
Gallery