NZ Art Fair- A First!

NZ Art Fair- A First!

Thousands of New Zealand and international art lovers are expected to attend New Zealand’s first Art Fair in Auckland, 1-4 September 2005.

More than 20 art galleries, including several Australian galleries will exhibit over 200 works by their top artists. This prestigious inaugural three day event at the Britomart Events Pavilion in the Historic Britomart Precinct, showcases some of New Zealand’s best contemporary art for sale.

The Auckland Art Fair is produced by the Contemporary Fine Arts Dealers Association (CFADA) - a not for profit organisation with the aim of nurturing the primary market of living New Zealand artists.

CFADA has established the Auckland Art Fair to promote New Zealand art and to introduce New Zealand, Pacific Island and Maori art to the rest of the world as a creative force.

“New Zealand’s reputation for visual arts has been growing in stature on an international level and New Zealand artists have been well represented and heartily received in major art fairs throughout the world, says CFADA president Deborah White.

“Due to the richness and diversity of art that New Zealand has been producing, it is time we share this talent with the rest of the world and put Auckland on the map as a destination for New Zealand visual art.”

White says the galleries and artists involved in the Auckland Art Fair are promoting innovation and excellence in contemporary art. She says she anticipates the Fair will create national and international, commercial and critical attention.

Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard strongly supports the Art Fair.

“This prestigious event is another fantastic opportunity for Auckland to represent New Zealand’s creative communities and to put Auckland City on the international cultural map. I look forward to visiting the fair as it’s such a unique opportunity to see so much of the country’s finest contemporary art in one place.”

Gallery participation in the Auckland Art Fair is by invitation only. Participants represent the primary art market and specialise in the exhibition and first sales of artists’ work.

“Private, commercial galleries promote and support contemporary art and living artists” says White. “We promote and maintain the highest standards of professionalism and provide trust and confidence to both the artists we represent and the art buying public.”

“Our stringent criteria ensures the Auckland Art Fair presents outstanding New Zealand and Australian galleries that exhibit leading, established and mid-career artists. The Auckland Art Fair program features an opening Vernissage on Thursday 1st September, public lectures by art luminaries at the Auckland Museum as well as a lounge area and a licensed café at the Pavilion.

Tickets to the Fair are $15 or $20 inclusive of the Auckland Museum seminar series. http://www.aucklandmuseum.co.nz.

Tickets and a full-colour catalogue for the Fair will be for sale at the event or may be purchased in advance via the website." target="_blank"> http://www.artfair.co.nz

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CFADA expects the Auckland Art Fair to be a biannual event and to produce significant long term economic benefits for artists, galleries and Auckland city.

Artists featured at the Fair will include Ralph Hotere (NZ), Fatu Feu’u (Auckland), Nigel Brown (NZ), Ian Scott (Auckland), Nicky Foreman (NZ), John Parker (NZ), Peter James Smith (NZ),Lauren Lysaght (NZ), Kura Te Waru Rewiri (Palmerston North), Nikki Hastings McFall (NZ), Richard Lewer (Melbourne), Elizabeth Sidell (NZ), Peter Wheeler (NZ), Alexis Hunter (NZ), Tim Maguire (Australia), Linde Ivimey (Australia), McLean Edwards (Australia).

For more information:

http://www.artfair.co.nz

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