Magical Evening at Museum

Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, hosts a major auction on 13 April, to fundraise for the near 50-year-old institution and to showcase work by artists who have exhibited at the Museum, such as Milan Mrkusich, Gregory O’Brien, Elizabeth Thomson, Ans Westra, Robin White and many more including Martinborough residents Stephen Allwood, Crystal Chain Gang, Angela Busby & Dennis Handyside .  About 80 works of art – from under $500 to over $10,000 – will be available to view and purchase.

None of the art comes from the Aratoi Collection; the work has been provided by the artists themselves or by their dealer galleries. “Aratoi is our taonga,” says Dame Robin White, who is donating Tui and Magpie from her Bird Watching series, 2011, two screen prints framed as one for a prize to be drawn at the Auction. “The series – in which the birds are doing the watching – emerged out of my reflections on the social, cultural and environmental issues that were so effectively presented in the Wairarapa Moana exhibition at Aratoi in 2010,” says White. The birds “tell a story of invasion and appropriation.”

The Auction will be a truly magical evening. Art in an award-winning architectural space. Music from Barry Saunders of the Warratahs. Gourmet platters served by Friends of Aratoi.

Exhibition viewing: 7–12 April, 10 am – 4:30 pm; April 13 10am – 1:30. Auction viewing from 5.30

Bidding: Register on arrival at Auction; absentee & telephone bidding available

Tickets to Auction ($35): Limited to 200, available online  through Eventfinda.

Prize Draw for Robin White work ($20): Limited to 400, available at Aratoi

“Aratoi is our taonga,” says Dame Robin White, who is donating Tui and Magpie from her Bird Watching series, 2011, two screen prints framed as one for a prize to be drawn at the Auction. “The series – in which the birds are doing the watching – emerged out of my reflections on the social, cultural and environmental issues that were so effectively presented in the Wairarapa Moana exhibition at Aratoi in 2010,” says White. The birds “tell a story of invasion and appropriation.”

Photo caption: Dennis Handyside, Pepper Tree, 2018, 150mm x 200mm