Air NZ art online auction closes noon Thursday

Media release - December 12, 2006

Air New Zealand art collection online auction closes noon Thursday

An online auction of 85 Air New Zealand owned paintings closes at noon on Thursday this week. The collection is being sold by Fishers Online – a fine art auction website - after Air New Zealand asked them to appraise its art collection.

Simon Fisher, of Fishers Online, said that Air New Zealand were interested in their online auction system for wider exposure.

``Air New Zealand is into planes not paintings. It has had a shift in mood and focus so it wants to quit art collecting and focus on its business as an airline. This is a great chance to buy into a slice of Air New Zealand history’’ he said today.

``There are some amazing works in the auction including a large oil by Allen Maddox - estimated at $30,000 - $45,000. It is one of the most stunning works by this artist to come to the market, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it exceeded the high estimate.’’

Fisher said quite a few of the works had already reached the reserve. Most of the works showcase iconic New Zealand themes and locations. There are also a number of bold acrylic works, essentially documenting New Zealand’s historical aviation provenance with views of planes over Wellington city, Rangitoto island, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps.The collection includes other high quality fine art pieces including works by Peter Beadle, Bill Culbert, and Douglas Badcock, Dick Frizzell, Don Binney and Shane Cotton.

Meanwhile, Fisher Galleries open their new gallery in Victoria St in Christchurch on Friday.

ENDS

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