Gallery’s Face Books Exhibition Now at Peterborough Library

Christchurch Art Gallery Media Release

Gallery’s Face Books exhibition now at Peterborough library

Max Gimblett Untitled 2005. Pencil and ink.

People are the focus of Face Books – an exhibition of portraits by contemporary and historical artists in books taken from Christchurch Art Gallery Library’s collection.

Face Books, which is running at Central Library Peterborough until 7 June, is one of 20 exhibitions and presentations that have been popping up around the central city as part of the Gallery’s Populate! programme, being held to celebrate its tenth birthday this month.

Artists as varied as Edward Burne-Jones, Pablo Picasso, Colin McCahon, Eileen Mayo, Max Gimblett and Richard Killeen are included. Faces are portrayed up-close and personal while full-length portraits depict people within domestic and landscape settings.

Gallery director Jenny Harper says the subjects of the portraits range from intimate acquaintances to strangers on the street.

“The Gallery’s Library has really developed its artist’s book collection over the past four years and we are grateful for the generous gifts we have received towards it from people such as Jim Barr and Mary Barr, Max Gimblett, Alan Loney and the Bensemann family.

“Face Books presents an eclectic mix of portraits and represents a wide range of artistic approaches to portraiture. This exhibition is a good opportunity for people to see some of the gems the Gallery’s Library has in its collection.”

Curator Peter Vangioni says the exhibition will appeal to people who enjoy contemporary art, as well as those who appreciate historic art.

“A real stand-out book in this exhibition is William Morris’s Kelmscott Press edition of Syr Isambrace from 1897, which features a wood-engraving by Edward Burne-Jones – it is an exquisite book and this is the first time we have had the opportunity to display it.”

For more information about Face Books and other exhibitions included in the Populate! programme visit www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz

ENDS

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