Wednesday 14 September 2022
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki hosted the annual Pat Hanly Creativity Awards on Thursday night (8 September) recognising 89 talented senior visual art students from 47 secondary schools and kura throughout the greater Tāmaki Makaurau region.
Established in 2002, the Awards recognise secondary school students nominated by their kaiako for outstanding creativity, imagination and commitment to the visual arts.
‘Presented by the Gallery for the last two decades, the Pat Hanly Creativity Awards have become an important milestone and accolade for some of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most outstanding young creative talent. Through these awards, we aim to empower the upcoming artists of Tāmaki Makaurau, giving them a life-long connection to the arts and an opportunity to continue creating,’ said Auckland Art Gallery Director Kirsten Lacy.
‘The awards are an acknowledgement, too, of the critical role of schools, kaiako, whānau and parents in championing students with their mahi and encouraging them along artistic paths. Congratulations to the ākonga who have been recognised – we wish you the very best in your creative endeavours.’
Professor Mandy Smith, Auckland University of Technology Head of School Art & Design was impressed by the exceptional quality of the artwork nominated.
‘The high calibre of artwork we saw this year was outstanding. The next generation of young artists are pushing the boundaries of creativity by responding to the issues of the modern world and exploring the possibilities of their work.
‘Ākonga applied a wide range of media, including technically accomplished paintings and other mixed media: video, sculpture and photography. A prominent overarching theme was COVID-19 and the resulting long lockdowns, from isolated figures to individuals in intimate interiors, elaborate imaginative worlds, as well as literal references to the pandemic with medical staff and equipment, and organic matter at cellular level,’ said Smith.
The awards, supported by AUT, acknowledge the late artist Pat Hanly’s outstanding contribution to New Zealand contemporary art and his passion for art education and supporting young artists.
Lillian Hanly, the granddaughter of Pat Hanly, spoke on behalf of the Hanly family.
‘Growing up in a creative family, a huge emphasis was placed on the importance of artwork in all its forms. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity or support to follow their dreams, whatever that may look like. The Pat Hanly Creativity Awards were established to acknowledge the voice of young people and to give all emerging artists a platform to express their creativity.’
The recipients of the Pat Hanly Creativity Awards 2022, along with their whānau and teachers, were honoured at a gala event at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
The awards were presented by Lillian Hanly, Dr Isabel Haarhaus-Michell, the Manager of Schools and Learning at the Gallery, and Dr Sue Gallagher, Programme Director for Master of Design in the Schools of Art & Design at AUT.
Each student received a generous gift donated by supporting event partner Gordon Harris, including a $50 voucher. The top 12 ākonga also received a Highly Commended Award and an Auckland Art Gallery Membership, allowing free unlimited entry to paid exhibitions, access to special events and more.
