Second Online Exhibition To Support Opposition To Fast Track Mine Launches

The twelve artists involved in this online exhibition have gifted their works to raise funds to assist with legal costs, expert advice and services to consolidate opposition to the proposed Bendigo-Ophir open cast mine. Funds will be sent to Sustainable Tarras.

This is the second such exhibition - the first one launching in October 2025, and raising over $30,000.

The works - all by well-established artists - are being offered at their market price, with 100 per cent of the funds raised going to fight the Santana fast track mine proposal.

To see all of the works, click here: https://nogobendigo.substack.com/t/artwork-for-sale

Exhibition organiser Gregory O’Brien, said that the group of artists from all over the country was highly motivated to help. “The proposed desecration of a heritage area for purely monetary gain is an outrage to all of us, as it is to the citizens of Central Otago and to all New Zealanders.”

“Painters, photographers, writers, film-makers, choreographers and other arts practitioners from within Central Otago and further afield are incensed at the churlishness of both the mining consortium and the Government’s ruinous ‘Fast Track’ (aka ‘Highway to Hell’) legislation. The environmental cost of such a cold-blooded, extractive exercise is simply too high, as is the social impact and down-stream legacy.”

Suze Keith, Chair of Sustainable Tarras, says that support from the arts sector is superb, and much appreciated. “We’re thrilled that these twelve artists have stepped forward and gifted such incredible pieces of artwork. We’re going to need all the help we can get - this is really David versus Goliath.”

“We’ve been delighted with messages of support from around New Zealand. People are clearly shocked about what’s planned and how fast-track is being used for gold mining. Now to have these talented and well known artists contribute to the cause in this way when we need it most is humbling and encouraging.”

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