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NZ Art Show 2015 - 300 Artists & Thousands of Artworks

Sculpture, rocking horses, ancient photographic techniques, woollen sculptures, wet-plate photography, archival prints on aluminium, woodblock prints, ceramics, feathers and blankets are some of the features of the artwork being exhibited at this year’s NZ Art Show. The Show, the largest curated art sale in the country, will feature some 3,000 artworks by 300 artists from New Zealand’s four corners, and some artists currently living overseas.

NZ Art Show executive director Carla Russell says, “We’re really excited about the quality and diversity of the art that will be showcased at this year’s Show. Of the 300 artists exhibiting, 90 of them are new to the Show - so, in addition to some of your favourite artists, there'll be plenty of fresh talent for you to enjoy.”

Amongst the artists exhibiting are Ben Timmins who won the NZ Art Show’s Signature Piece Art Award for three successive years and Catherine Roberts, last year’s Signature Piece Award winner and recipient of the Show’s inaugural Artist Grant. Both Ben and Catherine have enjoyed a long association with the Show and are established professional artists whose work has won critical acclaim.

New exhibitors whose work captured the attention of the selection panel include Timothy Jones and Joe Helmore both from Auckland, Sculptor Matthew Williams from Canterbury and from Wellington, Weta Workshop technician Piotr Wysocki and City Councillor Simon Woolf.

Electronics Engineer Piotr Wysocki and his family, originally from Poland, moved to Wellington to work in the local film industry. They needed lamps for their new home but they couldn’t find one they liked so Piotr used his creative and engineering skills to create stylish lamps. He will be exhibiting five such lamps in the Show, moulded from a single piece of bent black walnut wood.

Wellington City Councillor Simon Woolf, well known for his photographic forays in and around Wellington, has been a long-time supporter of the Show but this is the first time he will be exhibiting. His moody photographic pieces capture the essence of Wellington in dramatic atmospheric tones.

Carla Russell says “Over the past decade, the NZ Art Show has won a reputation for showcasing original quality New Zealand art at affordable prices. The Show provides visitors with the opportunity to start or add to their art collection while at the same time supporting New Zealand artists and the arts community. With some 3,000 artworks on sale and across such a wide array of mediums, we’re confident that you’ll be able to find the perfect piece that suits you.”

As in previous years, the Show is being held in the Events Centre on Wellington’s waterfront over three days. The Show opens with a Gala Evening on Thursday, 18 June, with open days from Friday, 19 June to Sunday, 21 June 2015.

“Each year brings something different, something unique, something unexpected, and something inspired and special. The artwork submitted was exceptional and the selection panel have selected works by established and renowned artists, many of whom have exhibited at past Shows and whose work continues to evolve, as well as that of talented, emerging artists.”

Visitors will also recognise the work of returning artists – Northland artist Janine Whitelaw, Auckland photographer Saehae Lee, Horowhenua artist Sue Lund, Wellington artists Mia Hamilton and Anna Stitchbury and Otago artist Kathryn Pender.

A full list of the exhibiting artists for this year’s Show is on the website, see http://artshow.co.nz/Exhibiting+Artists+2015.

The Art Show is open to the public by general admission. The art displayed is constantly changing so there is always something different to see. Tickets cost $10 each, concessions $7, with children 12 years and under free. Tickets and gift vouchers can be purchased online at http://artshow.co.nz/buy+tickets and door sales are also available.

ENDS

About the NZ Art Show

The NZ Art Show makes it easy & affordable for any New Zealander to own a piece of original NZ art.

The NZ Art Show promotes a wide range of art covering all mediums with the aim of enabling all New Zealanders to own original art. At the same time, it has helped provide the means for emerging artists to become established and helped create a dynamic arts community for the public to discover new artists and start or add to their art collection.

At the core of the NZ Art Show operations is a three-day art event held each year in Wellington.

The annual NZ Art Show art is the largest curated art sale of its kind and each year exhibits around 3,000 original artworks by some 300 artists: the emphasis is on quality NZ art at affordable prices by emerging and established artists in a dynamic and stimulating environment. Over 11,000 visitors attended the 2014 Show, which was held from 25-27 July in the Events Centre on the Wellington waterfront.

The annual event is complemented by an online art gallery located on the NZ Art Show website, artshow.co.nz, and features a range of styles, mediums and prices. Artworks can be purchased directly from the artists. The online gallery extends the reach of NZ art to a wider audience and provides a further outlet for artists.

Consistent with the aim of promoting a vibrant art community and helping NZ artists establish themselves, the NZ Art Show currently provides two arts awards:

NZ Art Show Emerging Artist Awards

  • Four cash prizes of $2,500 each. The NZ Art Show Emerging Artist Awards are open to students studying visual art at degree and/or diploma level at a recognised tertiary art school in New Zealand.
  • Schools are invited to nominate their most promising students.
  • The winners will have their artworks exhibited at the NZ Art Show event in 2015

Signature Piece Art Award

  • A cash prize of $3,000 awarded to an outstanding artwork chosen by the public.
  • 10 finalists, chosen by the Show’s selection panel, are exhibited in the show’s Signature Piece Gallery at the NZ Art Show 2015 with the winner decided by public vote: all visitors to the Show can vote for their favourite.

The NZ Art Show’s vision is to encourage New Zealanders to celebrate NZ culture and identity through NZ art and to promote NZ artists by providing opportunities to further their development. As a not-for-profit organisation the NZ Art Show is a significant contributor to the NZ community with many people benefiting from its operations and activities: since its inception in 2004 some 96,000 people have enjoyed the art event, nearly $8 million has returned to artists via art sales and around $70,000 in art prizes awarded to artists.

The NZ Art Show receives no government funding. All the costs of running the Show, the online gallery and funding the Awards are covered by sponsorship, grants, art sales, admission and donations.

 

 

NZ Art Show 2015 - 300 Artists & Thousands of Artworks

 
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