Hawke’s Bay-Based Goldie Painting Glows Again

Media Release

Hawke’s Bay-Based Goldie Painting Glows Again

EIT is the proud adoptive parent of a recently restored Goldie painting that will be among the treasures showcased when the upgraded Hawke’s Bay Art Gallery and Museum re-opens in early 2013.

The Whitening Snows of Venerable Elder Kapikapi, adopted by the Eastern Institute of Technology for conservation purposes, is “a breathtaking example” of Charles Frederick Goldie’s work, says EIT’s Head of Arts and Design School, Dr Suzette Major.

Friends of the Hawke’s Bay Cultural Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-Rangi, initiated the Adopt A Painting project four years ago to heighten awareness of the plight of some gallery art works which appeared to be suffering from the ravages of time.

As a thank you for sponsoring work carried out by the Auckland Art Gallery on the early 20th century painting, HBMAG has gifted a framed print of the work to EIT. It hangs in a room used by School of Arts and Design staff for interviews.

“There’s nothing quite like inspiring would-be students when they are being interviewed for our school,” Dr Major points out with a smile.

EIT sponsored $1500 for the conservation work on the oil painting, which may have originally been entitled The Whitening Snows of Venerable Elder Kapikapi, a Chieftainess of Tuhourangi Tribe. It also paid the $600 cost of restoring the frame.

The Troutback Trust gifted the art work to the Hawke’s Bay Cultural Trust in 1952.

HBMAG marketing team leader Pam Joyce says it was fantastic that EIT could support the restoration of the historic painting.
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