Media Release
August 18, 2008
Top NZ Artists to Exhibit Works on Streets of Auckland
Robert Harris has transformed part of Auckland's most famous street into a street-level, outdoor gallery. It's free,
open 24-7 and brings some inspirational works of art into the heart of Auckland city.
Ten New Zealand artists including Martin Popplewell, Dean Tercel, Hayley King and Mary Louise Browne have been
commissioned by Robert Harris to transform the humble napkin into pieces of art.
Robert Harris, Group Brand Manager, Justine Powell says, "We decided to commission these artists and display the artwork
in this unique form as a way for making peoples' day a little more inspirational."
"Downtown Auckland is a busy area and we wanted to offer the public the opportunity to enjoy some inspirational artwork
during their coffee break, daily commute, or on the weekends."
"We hope the collection will amaze, entertain, cheer and inspire passers-by"
The Robert Harris street-level gallery will be up from August 18 - September 14 located on lower Queen St (outside
Britomart) and along Custom Street East.
The exhibition can be viewed by taking a walking tour of the 15 bus shelters on both sides of the bottom of Queen St and
along Custom Street East. Passers-by will be able to enjoy and admire the likes of Browne's transmutations, Popplewell's
extravagant brushwork and McKinnon's haunting landscapes.
The 30 original works will then travel to Wellington and to selected Robert Harris cafés up and down the country. The
artwork will be displayed for a month from September 22 - October 19 in and around the Wellington railway station.
The works of art will be auctioned off to the public at the end of the year All the proceeds will go to the Robert
Harris Inspiration scholarship, which is being set up to support aspiring new artists.
Powell adds, "The humble napkin is central to the new campaign as a tool for capturing peoples' inspirations such as
drawings, sketches, phrases or messages as they enjoy their cup of coffee. Commissioning artists to use the napkin in
their artwork was the perfect continuation and progression of the napkin's journey to help bring people's inspiration to
life."
"We believe that every break should be inspirational and working with these talented artists to provide the public with
works of art they can enjoy throughout their day has been very rewarding."
Notes to editors:
* Featured artists include: Martin Popplewell, Dean Tercel, Kirsty Gorman, Gavin Hurley, Esther Leigh, Jonathan
Baxter, Toni McKinnon, Hayley King, Mary Louise Browne and Josh Paki.
* The Robert Harris street level gallery is located on lower Queen St (outside Britomart) and along Custom Street East
at 15 bus shelters from August 18 - September 14.
* For further information about the gallery exhibition and the artists involved log onto www.robertharris.co.nz
* As part of their mission to make every break inspirational Robert Harris recently toured the length and breadth
of the country to find out what inspires New Zealand. Over a five week period, a mobile message booth travelled to 41
Robert Harris Cafes from Timaru to Whangarei to give local Kiwis the opportunity to tell us about the source of their
inspiration. People wrote down their personal inspiration on a Robert Harris napkin and were filmed for inclusion in a 3
minute mini-film which previewed on TV One on July 27.
ENDS