Celebration of NZ art with auction of private collection

Media Release

21 March 2017

Celebration of New Zealand art with auction of private collection

One of the most varied and comprehensive private collections of New Zealand art will go under the hammer in Tauranga next month with the sale of the Koula Collection.

Tauranga woman Koula Vellinga collected over her lifetime and was a strong supporter of New Zealand artists.

The comprehensive collection features some European work, but predominantly New Zealand artwork from the 19th to the 21st century. The work will be auctioned on Monday 3 April at Baycourt in Tauranga city.

Among the pieces to be sold are a number of paintings by Arthur Dagley, a Bay of Plenty artist, whose work previously sold out when 101 of his paintings were offered at auction in 2013.

Auction organiser and Fine Art Society director, Grant Bezett says this is the most significant collection from a single owner to ever be auctioned in the Bay of Plenty.

“Koula Vellinga was a strong and committed supporter of young artists, particularly in the local area, which resulted in her buying paintings over many years. The sale of this collection offers a rare opportunity to purchase work from artists that in some cases are very well known, while there are also quality works by lesser known artists,” he says.

There are three paintings by Raymond Ching and one by Peter McIntyre in the collection to be auctioned.

Mr Bezett says increasingly New Zealanders are looking to connect with the identity of the country through buying art that is relevant and fits with who we are.

The auction will be offering a total of 109 painting for sale.

Mr Bezett says some of the paintings are likely to sell for a few hundred dollars while the more sort after lots will reach several thousand dollars.

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