Art lovers unite at auction for gallery's collection

22 August 2011

This Friday is auction night, with around 50 artworks going under the hammer at Aratoi, to raise money for new works for the collection. The event will also include a talk by amateur historian Ian St George about nineteenth century ‘Renaissance man’ William Colenso.

The event has been been organized by the Aratoi Foundation, with works being donated by local collectors and artists. Art lovers should note that most of the works have either no reserve price or a very low one, says coordinator Mena Antonio.

The artworks can be viewed throughout this week, with doors opening for the fundraiser at 5.30pm on Friday. The auction will get underway around 6.30pm, after a talk by guest speaker Ian St George.

Ian St George’s longstanding interest in native orchids led him to try to understand William Colenso, “who discovered most of them”. Ian is convenor of the Colenso Society and editor of its monthly newsletter eColenso.

William Colenso (1811-1899) was a printer, explorer, missionary, ethnologist,
politician, botanist, philosopher, humanitarian, whose parish included the Wairarapa. Ian’s talk will look at some of his experiences in the region, and the artworks attributed to him.

“He was one of the most talented among our pioneers,” says Ian, “a man ravenous for knowledge and experiences, and a significant contributor to many fields of enquiry in his adopted land.“

Art Foundation Art Auction, Wesley Wing, Aratoi, Friday 26 August, 5.30pm.
Tickets $10.
Showing at Aratoi: Mechanical Mind – a selection from the Aratoi collection store, until 18 September; Rise up to the Release – A Critique of the Retreat, until 18 September; The Tin Drum – Prints by Anthony Davies, 26 August – 2 October.

Aratoi – Wairarapa Museum of Art & History, Bruce St, Masterton.
Open daily 10am-4.30pm. www.aratoi.co.nz.

ENDS

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