Use the walls of Auckland Art Gallery

MEDIA RELEASE – 30 October 2007

Use the walls of Auckland Art Gallery as your canvas

Amateur artists – now’s your chance to use the walls of Auckland Art Gallery as your canvas.

The Friends of Auckland Art Gallery are selling gallery wall space for just $100 a metre in a special fundraising event on 24 November.

Budding artists will have a week to create a temporary masterpiece directly on the gallery walls in anything from paint to collage or even objects screwed into the wall.

The Off the Wall event leads up to the gallery's $96.4 million restoration and expansion project and will take place in a closed section on level two, while the main gallery remains open to the public.

Those who don’t feel inspired can sponsor an artist to create a work on their behalf - $100 buys a metre wide space, going as high as the artist can reach. Friends president Warren Limbrick says the combined effect will be a one-off multi-artist installation.

“This will be a truly unique art experience. Don’t miss your chance to get involved in an unforgettable occasion,” he says.

The temporary works will be documented by a photographer, creating a permanent record. Donors also receive a certificate and an invitation to the Off The Wall party on 24 November.

The funds raised will help buy more art for the people of Auckland courtesy of the Friends, a voluntary organisation dedicated to encouraging interest in the visual arts.

The Environment Court has given interim approval to the gallery upgrade, which will see all but the heritage parts of the building removed. A final decision is expected next month.

Off The Wall 24 November 6pm Auckland Art Gallery For more information: Jennifer Dann Communications co-ordinator Auckland Art Gallery

ENDS

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