Prominent artists back Save the Point

Prominent artists back Save the Point

Four prominent local artists of national and international renown have donated works to help pay for Save the Point’s costs in its upcoming case in the Environment Court.

Michel Tuffery, Ian Hamlin, Michael McCormack and ceramic artist Katherine Smyth have all given works.

Michael McCormack has donated two limited edition prints, which are being raffled, while the other three artists’ works are to be sold in a silent auction on the web beginning on Monday June 4. The auction will close at a function at the McCormack Studio Gallery, Island Bay on Thursday, July 20.

To view the works and make a bid visit the Save the Point website www.savethepoint.org.nz or contact us at fundraising@savethepoint.org.nz.

Tuffery’s striking work, Tangaroa at Te Raekaihau Point is his personal commentary about the proposed development.

Michel Tuffery has works in a number of significant private and public collections globally.

Ian Hamlin’s work is keenly sought by private art collectors and corporate concerns. He is represented in private collections worldwide as well as in major corporate collections. As well as being on display on the web, his work for the auction, Calm before the Storm, is on display at the McCormack Studio Gallery.

Irish born Michael McCormack moved to Wellington seven years ago and established his own gallery, McCormack Studio Gallery in Island Bay. The South Coast features prominently in his work, and like Tuffery and Hamlin he is an artist of international standing.

Katherine’s work is featured in public collections including The London Design Museum, Te Papa, The New Dowse and The Auckland War Memorial Musuem. Her work is shown in a number of New Zealand embassies around the world.

She has donated a vase decorated with swirling blue and earth tones for the auction.

“As somebody who worked as a chef for 16 years, I ‘m particularly incensed about the 145-seater, late-night licensed café included in the aquarium proposal,” Katherine says. “It reeks of commercial exploitation and bad taste.”

“We are absolutely delighted and proud that a group of artists of this calibre share our commitment to saving the Point and are donating their works to help us raise funds for our case in the Court.

“Other artists have also said they want to donate works for the auction and are working on them now.”

Local music group Fat Freddy’s Drop has also supported Save the Point with a $3000 cash donation.

Save the Point is also pleased to announce that it has received a $30,000 grant from the Ministry for the Environment’s Environmental Legal Assistance Fund to help with the cost of expert witnesses for the case scheduled for early July.

“But we need a lot more to pay for all of our costs to take this to the Court – we expect to be facing a bill of over $100,000, while the applicants, the Aquarium of New Zealand had their expenses met by the Wellington City Council with grants of $200,000 of ratepayers’ money.

“And now we hear they have had the cheek to apply for more money from the Ministry for the Environment. If this project is truly financially sustainable why is it that they have to beg from the public purse yet again to get it off the ground! It’s a total farce,” Nick Dryden said.

For more information about Save the Point visit www/savethepoint.org.nz

ENDS

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