New book documents NZ's national art collection
31 Mar 2009
New Zealand’s art and history are highlighted in a new book to be released in Wellington this week.
Art at Te Papa tells the story of the evolution of New Zealand’s national art collection from early European prints to contemporary acquisitions. Now housed in New Zealand’s national museum - Te Papa Tongarewa - the collection reflects the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The book features over 400 beautifully reproduced artworks and essays by 38 New Zealand art curators and scholars.
Landmark achievement
Art at Te Papa spans the museum’s collection, and provides an insight into the personalities responsible for developing the collection over more than a century. It also gives information about the featured artists and their works.
"Art at Te Papa is a landmark achievement for Te Papa Press," said Te Papa chief executive, Dr Seddon Bennington.
"The book, combined with the exhibition ‘Toi Te Papa Art of the Nation’ and the digital database ‘Collections Online’, provides a comprehensive view of the national collection for all New Zealanders to enjoy and learn from."
Rich art collection
Making a selection of 400 from a collection of more than 15,000 works was not an easy task, according to the book’s editor, William McAloon, who has been curator of New Zealand Historical Art at Te Papa since 2005.
"The national collection is incredibly rich, and I’m grateful to my colleagues at Te Papa who helped to make a selection that reveals its breadth and depth," said Mr McAloon.
Art at Te Papa featured works from international artists ranging from Rembrandt and Stanley Spencer, to Natalia Goncharova and Barbara Kruger, as well as iconic New Zealand artists such as Charles F Goldie, Rita Angus, Colin McCahon, and Bill Hammond. There were also some lesser-known works, he said.
Te Papa Press
The award-winning Te Papa Press was founded in 1997 and is New Zealand’s only dedicated museum publishing house. It follows a tradition of scholarly museum-based publishing by the earlier incarnations of the national museum.
Te Papa Press specialises in publishing books that reflect New Zealand’s art, culture and unique natural environment. Many of the books draw on the collections housed at Te Papa.
Art at Te Papa will be formally launched by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Chris Finlayson, at Te Papa tomorrow (1.04.09).
Art at Te Papa (Standard Edition)
NZ RRP (incl. GST): $130.00
ISBN: 978-1-877385-38-4
Extent: 440 pp.
Illustration: over 400 full-colour plates.
Format: Flexibind, 315 x 250 mm.
Art at Te Papa (Limited Edition)
NZ RRP (incl. GST): $300.00
ISBN: 978-1-877385-48-3
Print Run 300 Hand numbered.
Format: HB Cased - cloth binding.
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