Top positions on NZ art value rankings

McCahon, Hotere, Hanly and co. retain top positions on NZ art value rankings ladder

New Zealand art collectors can remain confident heading into 2005 that their capital has a secure future, a leading art expert said today.

For the past decade, the art market in New Zealand has shown meteoric rises especially for works by top NZ artists, Ferner Galleries managing director Helene Phillips said.

``A review of the art year shows a confident support of the market with few signs that major works by Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere and Pat Hanly will relinquish their positions at the top of the New Zealand art ladder.

``The trend for paintings to sell in excess of $100,000 and for many late-career artists such as Dick Frizzell and Milan Mrkusich to move to these new levels suggests the art market will enjoy another buoyant year in 2005,’’ she said.

Ferner Galleries, one of the most established art dealers in New Zealand, has an exciting line-up for next year and is about to celebrate a successful 20 years in the art business.

Their first anniversary catalogue will be published in February.

2005 will showcase their vision for the future and the flagship gallery in Parnell will launch one of the most advanced systems for the presentation of art ever to be seen in NZ, Ms Phillips said.

``A decade ago, Ferner Galleries was the first dealer gallery to publish a major catalogue researching artworks and their makers and presenting art with a new dynamism.

``Now it is time to continue this trend-setting tradition and reflect the electronic age”.

Art for Less, a subsidiary of Ferner Galleries and also located in Parnell offers works under $5000, and since its opening in May has received a significant response from buyers new to the art market. Art for Less manager Abby Sisam said one lucky buyer acquired a prized work by Bill Hammond.

"Collectors who purchase on a budget, visit Art For Less hoping to catch a bargain by a well-known NZ artist," Ms Phillips said. ``Other artists whose values will graduate to join the top ranked artists and whose works are offered at Art for Less are Nigel Brown, Stanley Palmer and Grahame Sydney.

Over the festive season and summer, Ferner Galleries will showcase two exciting exhibitions.

Parnell features its international exhibition of British drawings including works by Augustus John and Henry Moore.

From mid-January, the Wellington gallery will open an exhibition which offers an in-depth look at the work of contemporary and traditional New Zealand’s women artists.

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