Exhibition Profile
Luncheon Under the Ash Tree
The Ian & Elespie Prior Collection
Showcasing the Development of Contemporary NZ Art
Curated by Luit Bieringa – former director National Art Gallery, Wellington
23rd April – 10th June 2007
A good exhibition takes time to prepare. This exhibition has been in development for decades and is only on tour to
three national art museums. The exhibition opened at Aratoi, Masterton and was a major installation at the City Gallery
Wellington last year. Its only 2007 scheduled venue is the Whangarei Art Museum before the collection is returned to
private hands. There is also concurrently a very engaging book, Elespie & Ian – Memoir of a Marriage by Ian Prior available from all good bookshops to accompany this exhibition as well as a
colour catalogue with articles by art historian Damian Skinner. This is a stunning and memorable exhibition for
Northland art lovers to enjoy.
Ian and Elespie Prior have been the reluctant heroes of the New Zealand art scene for over fifty years and there are few
people involved in the arts in New Zealand who have not come across their generosity, support and patronage. Whether
they be painters, printers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, or singers, they will have had some involvement with the
Priors; sometimes fostered anonymously, and always encouraged with generous support.
There are several significant private art collections in New Zealand. Some have been meticulously planned and collected
to create and present a predetermined outcome, a chronological survey of modern New Zealand art history. The Prior
collection is the product of a complex network of family connections and social links. It represents life and
friendships with artists. It is a collection that has been nurtured and nourished over time. Developed through warm and
loving relationships it has a strong heart; it is a collection with soul.
The selections made for this exhibition attempt to illustrate the broad story of contemporary New Zealand art
developments as well as the cultural environment within which these developments took place. Most of the country’s
pre-eminent artists are represented. Colin Mc Cahon, Toss Woollaston, Ralph Hotere, John Drawbridge, Milan Mrkusich,
Phillip Trusttum and many others are included. Of particular significance are the works by Evelyn Page, including a very
fine portrait of Elespie. The Pages, Evelyn and Professor Frederick Page, were close friends of the Priors.
Assembled with great discrimination, the works represent the personal associations that signify Ian and Elespie’s ethos
of giving to the community rather than acquiring from it. The exhibition is a timely acknowledgement of the Prior’s
contribution to their community and New Zealand art and culture. This is an opportunity to see artwork that is rarely
available to the public.
Exhibition developed and toured by: Aratoi - Wairarapa Museum of Art and History Catalogue Essay by: Damian Skinner With
the support of: BWX, Masterton District Council, Masterton Trust Lands Trust, Willi Fels Foundation.
ENDS
Exhibition accompanied by a poster and will be available to be viewed online at www.whangareiartmuseum.co.nz.