Thurs, 8 Jul 2004

Top quality art auction to honour the late Galvan Macnamara

A major art auction is being organised by The Dowse Foundation to raise funds for a special memorial to a previous Dowse Director - James Mack. The auction will be held at The Dowse in October.

The Dowse Director, Tim Walker, says that a broad range of New Zealand artists, who work in a wide range of media including sculpture, painting, jewellery and textiles has been approached to contribute a work for the project, to honour James, known later in his life as Galvan Macnamara.

"The exhibition will run from 9 to 31 October 2004," says Tim. "Works will be then be auctioned with proceeds going towards the major redevelopment of The Dowse in 2005-06. The open-air courtyard at the heart of the expanded building will be named in honour of Galvan's lifelong contribution.

Dowse Foundation Chair, Bob Moffat, says "The names of all the artists who contribute to the exhibition will be inscribed on the glass surrounding the courtyard to embrace the memory of a very special person who gave so much to New Zealand's cultural life and The Dowse.

"We have already received over 70 enthusiastic responses and we expect many more. The feedback is that artists value the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to an ongoing legacy. Participating artists include Len Castle, Dick Frizzell, Judy Darragh, Lauren Lysaght, Terry Stringer and John Edgar".

Tim Walker says "Many of the artists have a strong association with The Dowse or with Galvan - either through an exhibition; a work in the collection; or as someone who has, in some way, benefited from his extraordinarily wide-reaching generosity and enthusiasm."

The Dowse's major redevelopment, planned for 2005, will extend the potential for the Lower Hutt art museum to further showcase innovative creative practice. The Dowse Foundation is raising $2million towards the $5million project.

"Art lovers are encouraged to start saving now and to put the gala auction during the last weekend of October, in their diaries. Tickets will be on sale at The Dowse throughout October."

For more information please contact The Dowse Programmes Developer Claire Regnault on 04 560 1474.

www.dowse.org.nz

ENDS

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