Overview
Founded in December 1954 the Friends of the Auckland Art
Gallery, or Auckland Gallery Associates as they were originally
known, have supported and encouraged the acquisition of works of
art for the collection from their inception. John Bratby's
Window was their first gift in 1958 and since then the
Friends have generously supported the presentation of more than 60
works to the Gallery. The gifts range from oil paintings to
watercolours, sculptures to large-scale installations.
Golden gathers together highlights of these gifts which
includes many icons of New Zealand art such as Colin McCahon's
Six Days in Nelson and Canterbury, Frances Hodgkins'
Portrait of a Girl and Pat Hanly's Figures in Light
17, to name just a few. The centrepiece of the exhibition is
the Friends' fiftieth anniversary gift to the Gallery, Rita Angus'
renowned masterpiece AD 1968, which will be on display
within the exhibition.