Three Days of Exciting Art

News Release 10 June 2013

Three Days of Exciting Art

This year the NZ Art Show, the biggest curated art show in the country, celebrates its tenth anniversary.

The Convenor of the Selection Panel, Wellington artist Lynne Sandri said, “This year’s Show triumphs what’s gone before in terms of the standard of the artwork, the range and combination of media and the presentation of the artwork. It promises to be our most exciting ever. The artwork submitted was exceptional and the selection panel had to make some difficult decisions. We 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.

“What stands out from previous Shows is that visitors will be able to see more of the selected artists’ artworks, as we have selected fewer artists in the general selection category and more in the single artist wall and solo panel categories. This will give the Show’s visitors a better understanding of the style and stories behind each artist’s work and will enable the Show to develop the selected artist’s careers.”

Visitors will recognise the work of celebrated artists - Jane Blackmore, Bee Doughty-Pratt, Ben Timmins, Mandy Emerson, Mia Hamilton, Rika Nagahata, Sirpa Alalääkkölä, Jane Grey, Richard Thurston and Peter Leask; all of whom have exhibited at previous Shows.

The new exhibitors whose work captured the attention of the selection panel include contemporary painters Sam Mathers, Adam James and Asher Boardman, sculptor Sean Crawford and photographers Emmanuelle Charmant and Harry Culy.

“Some of our newer artists are really pushing the boundaries. We’re seeing a variety of mixed media works with artists combining glass and print-making, painting on weatherboards, windows and silver trays. Others have combined taxidermy and steel, cast glass and images cut from aluminium; it would seem that no surface is safe from artists as they continue to explore the potential of their media in new ways,” Lynne Sandri says.

This year’s Show will feature around 3,000 works by 310 New Zealand artists. All art accepted for the Show must be original and from New Zealand artists or artists currently resident in New Zealand. All artworks must also be for sale for between $50 and $5,000. This price range has remained unchanged since the show started in 2004, and the average price at last year’s Show was $634.

As in previous years, the Show is being held in the TSB Bank Arena on Wellington’s waterfront over three days. The Show opens with a Gala Evening on Thursday, 25 July, with open days from Friday, 26 July to Sunday, 28 July 2013.

A full list of the exhibiting artists for this year’s Show is on the website; you can view the list of general exhibition artists at http://artshow.co.nz/Selected+Artists+2013; and artworks by artists with Single Artist Walls can be viewed at http://artshow.co.nz/GALLERY+2013+SAWS and Solo Panel artists works here http://artshow.co.nz/GALLERY+2013+SOLOS

This year’s Show will include a number of new features including artist demonstrations, an Illuminart Gallery (showcasing artworks using light) and ASB & all that Jazz (live Jazz performances from the senior students from Te Koki, NZ School of Music), courtesy of ASB.

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. To pre-purchase tickets, email tickets@artshow.co.nz. There is an early-bird special if tickets are purchased online by June 17. Door sales are also available.

NZ Art Show executive director Carla Russell says, “The Show has won a reputation for selecting original, collectable and accessible 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 over 3,000 artworks on sale, we’re confident that you’ll be able to find the perfect piece that suits you at this year’s NZ Art Show.”

ENDS

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