Yesterday, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki's major
international exhibition Degas to Dalí ended its 15-week
season. The exhibition of modern masters from the National
Galleries of Scotland drew in 99,000 visitors.
Overview
In its last two weeks, the exhibition saw more than 17,000
visitors through its doors. 'We're very happy with the public
response,' says Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) Chairman Sir Don
McKinnon. 'The high visitor numbers to this exhibition reflect a
demand for art exhibitions of this standard from both Aucklanders
and visitors to the city.'
Art lovers from Kaitaia to Bulls and from Picton to Invercargill
travelled to Auckland to see the exclusive-to-New Zealand
exhibition. Tourists to New Zealand also took advantage of the
opportunity to see Degas to Dalí. Overseas visitors to the
exhibition were from a diverse range of countries, including
Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, England, Greece,
Netherlands, Singapore, Spain and the USA.
'It has been a long time since a major international exhibition
of this calibre has travelled to Auckland, and we have been left in
no doubt that our public want more,' says Gallery Director Chris
Saines. 'The incredibly positive response to Degas to Dalí
- including outstanding visitor feedback and record retail sales -
clearly demonstrates that such shows have become far more viable
for us in our new building.'
Degas to Dalí presented major art movements of the
mid-19th to mid-20th centuries and 79 works of art by 62
influential and celebrated artists, such as Monet, Van Gogh,
Renoir, Ernst, Magritte and Warhol. It was the first admission
charged exhibition since the Gallery re-opened its newly developed
building in September 2011.
Degas to Dalí visitors were offered the opportunity to
enter a Melbourne giveaway supported by Grabaseat and Sofitel Hotel
Melbourne. More than 10,000 Degas to Dalí visitors entered
the giveaway. The prize package includes a trip for two to
Melbourne to visit the National Gallery of Victoria's Napoleon:
Revolution to Empire exhibition. The winner will be drawn on
Monday 25 June.
Degas to Dalí was presented with the support of Accor
Hotels and indemnified by the New Zealand Government through the
Ministry of Culture and Heritage.