Vice-Regal Opening For Ned Kelly

VICE-REGAL OPENING FOR NED KELLY, 22 FEBRUARY 2002

The paintings of Australia's most famous outlaw will be given a Vice-regal welcome when Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly Series opens at City Gallery Wellington on Friday 22 February. Australia's Governor-General Dr Peter Hollingworth will be guest of honour and will open the exhibition as part of his State visit to New Zealand.

"The presence of the Governor-General of Australia reinforces the stature of and regard Australia has for these iconic artworks, their dearly loved 'national treasures'," says Paula Savage, Director of City Gallery Wellington. Other distinguished Australian guests will include Dr Brian Kennedy, Director of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, (where the Ned Kelly paintings are housed); the Chair of the National Gallery of Victoria, and a number of Australian art collectors and curators.

Lady Nolan, who lives in England and survives the late Sir Sidney Nolan, wrote to say she was disappointed not to be able to attend due to health problems, says Ms Savage. The opening will be followed by a State dinner at Government House, hosted by Dame Silvia and Peter Cartwright. Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly Series opens to the public on Saturday 23 February. It is presented as part of the Australian Art Series, which also includes exhibitions by contemporary Australian artists Tracey Moffatt and Mikala Dwyer.

Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly Series is presented by Ernst & Young, Russell McVeagh and Telecom New Zealand Ltd. Indemnified by the New Zealand Government. Generously supported by RadioWorks Wellington. A 2002 New Zealand Festival event.

City Gallery Wellington is managed by the Wellington Museums Trust with major funding from the Wellington City Council. For more information, images, interviews on the Ned Kelly Series contact: Anne Irving, Publicist T: 04 801 3959 / F: 04 801 3096 E: anne.irving@wcc.govt.nz

Anne Irving Publicist T: 04 801 3959 F: 04 801 3950 Good Work - the Jim Barr and Mary Barr Collection 2 Nov - 27 Jan 2002 John Drawbridge - Wide Open Interior 9 Dec - 10 Feb 2002 Admission free Surprise Michael Hirschfeld Gallery 18 Jan - 17 Feb 2002 Admission free Check out: http://www.city-gallery.org.nz www.newartnz.org.nz

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