Applause - Issue 11

From The ArTs FoundATion oF new ZeAlAnd

02 | 2006

in This issue

Freemasons New Zealand is providing significant support to enable the Arts Foundation to launch a new award to support artists in the early stages of their careers. The inaugural recipients of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Wellington on November 22 this year.

The Arts Foundation recognised the need to honour and support artistic excellence when it established the Laureate Awards for artists in mid career and the Icon Awards to honour senior artists. There are also many artists in the early stages of their careers that have demonstrated huge potential for excellence and are often in need of assistance to get to the next stage of their careers. These artists not only contribute significantly to New Zealand now, but are also the arts champions of tomorrow. The New Generation Awards are designed not only to honour and celebrate their work, but also to provide financial support as an investment in the recipients’ careers.

Five Awards of $25,000 each will be presented every two years to artists from any art form. Like other Foundation Awards, recipients will be selected without knowing they are under consideration, so that the Award comes as a surprise to them and to the nation. Each artist must have developed an individual identity that demonstrates richness, range and depth, and stand for the strength and quality of their particular art form in New Zealand, at their

level. They will be at an early stage of their career, but have already demonstrated excellence and innovation through an output of artistic work at high levels.

“Support at this level will provide each recipient with confidence and a financial boost at a critical time in their careers increasing the likelihood that he or she will remain a full time practitioner and therefore reach new heights,” said Ros Burdon, Arts Foundation Chairman. “The Awards enable the Foundation to provide new support for artists and increase Foundation distributions (in the year of a New Generation Awards ceremony) from $270,000 to $395,000,” said Ros.

“The Freemasons are delighted to provide support for New Zealand’s talented artists, especially those that are at the beginning of their careers,” said David Mace, Grand Master of Freemasons New Zealand. “This partnership with the Arts Foundation has enabled us to do something significant for the arts, an area with which the Freemasons have a long and proud association.”

Before accepting the Award, each New Generation recipient will be required to inform the Arts Foundation as to how they will use it to further their careers. The Foundation expects that some artists will invest the funds in new work or equipment, high level education or other development opportunities, or in some cases to buy time to focus on producing work.

Glass Artist Christine Cathie has been commissioned to design “trophies” to be presented to New Generation Award recipients. (See article, page 9)

Applause is the newsletter of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. It provides up to date information on artists supported by the Foundation, announcements and reports about awards and other Arts Foundation activity. If you would like Applause to be mailed to you visit www.artsfoundation.org.nz and submit your mailing address or call +64 4 4711 374.

A New Award for New Generation

~ Neil Dawson — Bomber Command Memorial ~

ARTS FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND | PRINCIPAL SPONSOR FORSYTH BARR

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New Generation Awards Announced

Inaugural Recipients of the Award for Patronage

Icon Artists

Laureate Artists

Tribute – Auckland Art Gallery Exhibition

Neil Dawson – New Sculptures

New Trustees

Marilynn Webb – Governor

Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage

New Sponsors

PATrons honoured

At an event hosted by Her Excellency, the Hon Dame Silvia Cartwright, Governor General of New Zealand, at Government House in Auckland in May, Denis and Verna Adam were recognised for their lifetime contribution to New Zealand arts. Denis and Verna are the inaugural recipients of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand’s Award for Patronage.

Denis and Verna Adam established the Adam Foundation in 1975 and during the past 30 years have endeavoured to support artists through its many programmes including the establishment of the Adam Concert Room at Victoria University of Wellington, the Adam Portraiture Award and Exhibition, the Adam Chamber Music Festival, and the Adam International Cello Competition.

As part of the Award for Patronage, Dennis and Verna were given $20,000 by the Arts Foundation to distribute to artists of their choice. Denis and Verna announced they would double the fund and distribute $10,000 to: Pianist, John Chen; Cartoonist, Tom Scott; writers Oscar Kightley and David Armstrong ($5,000 each); and to Tanya Ashken to honour her late husband John Drawbridge posthumously. All the recipients have relevance to the Adam Foundation activities. “The artists are our personal choices and these rewards should be regarded as our own expression of gratitude and admiration of their work from enthusiastic, inexpert admirers,” Denis Adam said.

The couple said they felt honoured to be selected as the first recipients of the Patronage Award. “We unreservedly support the Arts Foundation’s aim to encourage arts patronage in New Zealand. We started collecting objets d’art in the 1960s, but arts have always been our passion. It is a great feeling to know that we have assisted some young New Zealanders in their bid to make it in the field of the arts.”

Born of German-Jewish parents in 1924, Denis’s family fled Germany and settled in England, and he was educated there and in Scotland. He served in World War II as a fighter-bomber pilot in the RAF under a New Zealand commanding officer and this led him to New Zealand. Denis is very much a self-made man. He came to New Zealand in 1947 with six pounds in his pocket. He met

Verna Ruth Finlayson in Wellington and decided to stay and seek his fortune. They married in 1953. He eventually found his business niche and established Adam & Adam which became a specialised insurance broking company. Verna was born in Ashburton but moved north to take up a secretarial career. She later became a mature student and went to Victoria University where, after gaining her degree, she remained until she retired, taking up administrative roles in the economics department and the Institute of Policy Studies.

The Award for Patronage will be announced annually, honouring those patrons who are making an active contribution to the arts in New Zealand. Ros Burdon, Chairman of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand said, “the Patronage Awards are all about encouraging more people to give to the arts, to honour those who already show their support and to highlight the difference you can make by being a patron.”

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~ Denis & Verna Adam ~

�ARTS FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND | PRINCIPAL SPONSOR FORSYTH BARR

Annually the Arts Foundation gives $20,000 to the Award for Patronage recipients to distribute to artists or arts projects of their choosing. Denis and Verna Adam choose to contribute $20,000 of their own and to make four donations to:

John Chen – aged eighteen, John became the youngest ever winner of the Sydney International Piano Competition, also winning numerous prizes including all the special prizes at the 2003 Lev Vlassenko Australasian Piano Competition. He began piano studies at the age of three, and from age eight studied with Rae de Lisle, gaining his Master of Music from the University of Auckland. John officially debuted with the New Zealand Symphony Orcherstra aged fifteen, and has performed concertos with most major orchestras in New Zealand and Australia, also performing in Japan, the USA, and Germany. He has recorded the complete solo works of Henri Dutilleux and recently recorded Debussy and Ravel. Deeply committed to New Zealand music, John has given the world premieres of works by New Zealand composers Jenny McLeod, Ross Harris, and Claire Cowan and the world premiere of the second piano concerto of Australian composer Roger Smalley. John has just completed a successful New Zealand piano-recital tour and continues his studies at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. As an earlier recipient of Adam Foundation’s support, having attended three years of Nelson Chamber Music Summer School, Johns says the Award will assist in developing his international career, and to commission a piece from a young New Zealand composer, to be performed in 2007-08.

John Drawbridge (1930-2005) – John was an acclaimed Wellington artist, producing over 200 limited edition mezzo-tint, etchings, dry point and lithographs during his career. He was born in Wellington in 1930. In 1957 he won a National Gallery Travelling Scholarship, for study in London and Paris. While in London, he was commissioned to paint a mural for New Zealand House, now housed in the National Archives in Wellington. Among other major commissions, John created a mural for the New Zealand pavilion at Expo 70 in Osaka, now in the National Library. In 1973-1976 John created the Beehive Mural in the Banquet Hall. In 1978 he was awarded an MBE; in 1987 he received the Governor General Art Award; and in 2002 Massey University awarded him a D Lit (Honoris Causa). Denis and Verna Adam have made this award to John’s wife Tanya and family, to continue John’s work and make his art available to a wider audience. In accepting the Award, Tanya said of Denis and Verna, “they have felt the magic in John’s work and we thank them hugely for this recognition.” She would like to see John’s work reach a wider public, and is considering putting the grant towards the publication of a book on his art.

Oscar Kightley and David Armstrong – individually and jointly Oscar and David are at the forefront of New Zealand play-writing and comedy. They co-wrote Niu Sila, which was developed in 2004 with the support of the Adam Playreading Series. Both have worked on TV3’s bro’Town. Dave’s stage plays include King & Country, The Tutor and an adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. His televison credits include Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby, The Semisis, and four series of Spin Doctors. King & Country was a sell out at this year’s International Arts Festival and recently returned to Downstage Theatre in Wellington.

In addition to Niu Sila, Oscar has co-written two plays, as well as A Frigate Bird Sings. His first solo play was Dawn Raids. Oscar has extensive television credits including Skitz, Telly Laughs, The Panel, and Sportzah. He is one of the Naked Samoans - described recently as “a small national treasure” - who co-wrote the acclaimed Sione’s Wedding. Dave says the Adam Playreadings have become a Wellington institution, helping playwrights see their works come to life on stage. He will use the Award to research the historical background for a new play. Oscar said the Adam Playreading “was crucial to the development of Niu Sila”. He will use his Award to further his writing.

Tom Scott – best known for his cartooning and abilities as a writer for stage and screen, Tom was born in 1947 London, England. In 1949 Tom migrated with his family to New Zealand, graduating from Massey University with a BSC in Physiology. He has won the Qantas Award for Cartoonist of the Year five times and also the Qantas Award for Political Columnist of the Year twice. Tom also won the New Zealand Film and Television Awards for Footrot Flats, Fallout and View from the Top. Tom also won a Silver Award at the International Film and Television Festival of New York for Our Future Generation documentary. Tom described Denis and Verna Adam’s long-term support of the arts as “legendary”. He will use the grant to further his work, developing a film project based on the life of Sir Edmund Hillary. Tom recently returned from America where he has been seeking funding for this film with film director Roger Donaldson.

~ John Chen ~ ~ Oscar Kightley, Tom Scott, Dave Armstrong (back) — Denis Adam, Verna Adam, Tanya Ashken (front) ~

~ John Drawbridge, Mt Aspiring (2004) ~ ~ John Drawbridge — Towers & Pyramid (detail) ~

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Icon Artist, Sir Donald McIntyre and Laureate Artist, Simon O’Neill performed together in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra production of Parsifal for the New Zealand Festival. Kate Mead went along and reports on her experience.

Fear chilled my heart on hearing that the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / New Zealand Festival of the Arts’ reverentially anticipated production of Parsifal would be “semi-staged”. Said heart plummeted to my boots and sulked there, as I imagined a formal concert-style version of the lengthy and involved, and did I mention lengthy, drama. Surely the point of difference between concert music and opera is the dramatic elements, the frisson created by physical interpretation? Why, even Wagner himself had acknowledged the work’s integral drama by describing Parsifal as “A Sacred Stage Festival Play in Three Acts”. The day arrived and fear was swept away as the first notes of Wagner’s majestic score unfurled. For the next four hours the Orchestra and the

Over the early part of this year, Icon artists have produced outstanding work and have received accolades.

At the 2006 New Zealand International Festival of the Arts Sir Donald McIntyre sang in the opera Parsifal, Janet Frame’s book of uncollected poems The Goose Bath was launched, and Hone Tuwhare was honoured with a performance by twelve recording artists who transformed his words into lyrics sung at two concerts.

Maurice Gee was nominated as a finalist in the 2006 Montana Book Awards with his novel Blindsight and a biography on Maurice will be undertaken by historian Rachel Barrowman who was recently awarded the $100,000 Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers’ Fellowship for this purpose.

Ralph Hotere has been awarded a Te Taumata Award by Creative New Zealand’s Maori Arts Board, Te Waka Toi, recognising his outstanding leadership and service to Mäori arts and culture, and Margaret Mahy has won the world’s premier prize for children’s writing, the Hans Christian Andersen Award. She will travel to Beijing in September to be honoured at the IBBY World Congress.

Sir Miles Warren has established a Charitable Trust for the Education of Architects. The Trust was launched at the Institute of Architects Annual General meeting in late June. The assets of the Trust consist of two buildings, 65 and 69 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch, which together produce an income of $190,000 per annum.

Icon Artists Delight and Amaze

Parsifal

Len CastlePotter

Janet Frame (1924-2004)Writer

Maurice GeeWriter

Peter GodfreyMusician

Patricia GraceWriter

Alexander GrantBallet Dancer

Dr Pakariki HarrisonCarver

Ralph HotereVisual Artist

Russell KerrChoreographer

Donald MunroOpera

Diggeress Te KanawaWeaver

Hone TuwharePoet

Sir Miles WarrenArchitect

Margaret MahyWriter

Sir Donald McIntyreOpera Singer

Milan MrkusichPainter

all New Zealand cast breathed life and motive into each scene and character, blurring distinctions between fact and fiction.

Sir Donald McIntyre’s lifework to date has been performing Wagner’s works across Europe, his debut at Wagner’s own Bayreuth in 1967. He became the first ‘British’ (they only take credit for the very best) singer to perform Wotan in a complete Ring Cycle for Bayreuth in 1967. McIntyre is admired for his strapping bass-baritone and compelling presence. Every one of his utterances carries definition and authority. So it was only right that his was the first voice heard in Parsifal, as Gurnemanz. The title role, the name of the naïve who becomes leader, on whom the drama pivots, was sung by Simon O’Neill, whose expressive tenor and musical integrity shone. From the elder statesman to the young Pretender Parsifal was alive, even thriving in the Michael Fowler Centre in March 2006, the audience witness to great drama centred around The Holy Grail (phone number for Dan Brown anyone?)

Icons:

~ Maurice Gee — Blindsight ~ ~ Janet Frame — The Goose Bath Poems ~

~ Simon O’Neill (top) — Sir Donald McIntyre (bottom) ~

iCon FeATure — donAld munro

Celebrated for establishing New Zealand’s first Opera Company, Donald’s primary goal was to “take opera to the people”, ensuring that rural districts were visited as often as the city centres.

This bold venture was kept afloat by Donald’s ambition, drive, and sometimes his own pocket. Under his management, the Opera Company introduced the works of Gian-Carlo Menotti, culminating in its first full-length production The Consul. The company was the first in the world to produce Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess outside of the USA. This opera was a huge success and helped establish the careers of several Mäori performers. When his involvement with the New Zealand Opera Company ceased in the mid-1960s, Donald was appointed Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide, where he became Dean of Music from 1974 to 1978. He was appointed to various government arts funding bodies in Australia and was President and Chairman of the Arts Council of South Australia.

Donald currently lives in Sydney, where at age 93 he continues to teach and maintain a lively interest in the arts, including New Zealand opera. Already this year Donald has visited Wellington, once for the performance of Parsifal and again for the final of Jeremy Common’s Sirius Opera salon. He also

made a special trip to Auckland for the opening of the exhibition Tribute-visual artists celebrated by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.

Since receiving his Icon Award, the Arts Foundation has enjoyed several visits from Donald where he has related stories of life “on the road” with the Opera Company. The extract below has been taken from Donald’s Report on New Zealand Opera Company Activities, 1958, where “this year the Opera Company has played in 47 towns throughout New Zealand, to a total audience of 13,580 people. This excludes the Wellington season, where we played for six nights and a matinee to approximately 6,000 people. In all, the Company travelled approximately 4,000 miles. These figures reveal that we are really taking opera to the people and that the people themselves are taking to opera.”

Donald’s report provides an interesting insight into the difficulties, but also the fun, of touring and setting up for opera throughout the country. “We then went on to what was, perhaps, the smallest town of the tour and, comparatively speaking, our biggest audience. We arrived in Dipton about 10.30am the following day, to be met at the hall by an enthusiastic band of helpers, mostly farmers, who insisted that we could not possibly start working before paying our respects to the local publican. There were no arguments; we just went. This was a very happy day for the whole

cast….plenty of help and wonderfully warm Southland hospitality. The hall was quite adequate, but again nothing to hang lights on out front. However, we did carry a few light stands, but in order to become effective they had to be elevated. Nothing of sufficient strength to carry these light stands was right at hand, but one worthy farmer solved all our problems by rolling in several empty hogsheads from the adjoining hotel and the performance went on to a full house and a row of empty hogsheads down each side of the hall.”


~ Porgy and Bess Poster ~

~ Donald Munro (centre) enjoys the company of Sir Donald McIntyre and Simon O’Neill ~

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Laureates

Barry Barclay was honoured at the Dreamspeakers 11th Annual International Film Festival. The Honour recognises aboriginals in the film industry who have made significant contributions to promoting and protecting their culture and heritage;

Phil Dadson has been nominated as one of four finalists for the $50,000 Walters Prize. Phil has been nominated for Polar Projects 2004;

Elizabeth Knox’s novel The Vintner’s Luck is being developed as a screen adaptation by Nicky Caro; her novel Dreamhunter was released in the US and was also a finalist in the 2006 Montana Book Awards Fiction Category;

Derek Lardelli designed the fern motif for the uniform for New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games team, created the background feature behind the original Air New Zealand koru logo, and was named the first recipient of a new artist-in-

residence programme based near the Gallipoli peninsula;

Bill Manhire’s book Lifted was selected as a finalist in the Poetry Category of the 2006 Montana Book Awards;

Michael Parekowhai has 12 photos, using flowers as a metaphor for World War I battles in which Maori soldiers of the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion lost their lives, selected for display at the new Musee du Quai Branly which recently opened in Paris;

Ann Robinson has just received a “lifetime” award for services to glass from the American Glass Society, and;

Douglas Wright released his new book Terra Incognito in conjunction with a season of his new dance work Black Milk which toured New Zealand and will be performed at the Sydney Opera House in the last week of July.

2000 – Briar Grace-Smith (Playwright), Elizabeth Knox (Writer), Peter Peryer (Photographer), Gillian Karawe Whitehead (Composer), Douglas Wright (Choreographer/Writer).

2001 – Phil Dadson (Intermedia Artist), Kate De Goldi (Writer), Michael Parekowhai (Visual Artist), Gaylene Preston (Film-maker).

You may have been fortunate enough to have been entertained by a performance, book, exhibition, or event involving any one or more of the above. A few highlights from the past few months involving some of the Laureate Artists are:

~ Warwick Freeman — Shell Carving Luminaries, Sydney College of the Arts Exhibition ~

2002 – Warwick Freeman (Jeweller), Shona McCullagh (Choreographer/Dance Film-maker), Don McGlashan (Musician), Helen Medlyn (Singer), Jacob Rajan (Actor/Writer).

2003 – Jenny Bornholdt (Poet), Neil Dawson (Sculptor), Michael Hurst (Actor/Director), Humphrey Ikin (Furniture-maker), John Psathas (Composer).

The Arts Foundation has awarded 29 talented individuals as Laureates:

2004 – Barry Barclay (Film Director/Writer), Jack Body (Composer), Derek Lardelli (Ta Moko Artist), John Pule (Writer/Visual Artist), Ann Robinson (Glass Sculptor).

2005 – Neil Ieremia (Choreographer), Simon O’Neil (Opera Singer), Bill Manhire (Poet), Julia Morison (Visual Artist), Ronnie van Hout (Visual Artist).

2006 – To be announced 1 November

~ Phil Dadson — Polar Projects, 2004 courtesy of the artist ~

lAureATe FeATure — neil dAwson


When Neil was announced as the recipient of one of the 2003 Laureate Awards he was described as a “master illusionist” who “wowed audiences from Paris to Singapore with his mind/eye bending feats….no open space is safe from the wires, steel, and bolts with which his dazzling acts are performed.

From the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris to Stadium Australia in Sydney they stop, look and wonder - how the hell did that get there?” Almost every year, since his first installation in 1979, Neil has produced work, in New Zealand, Australia and Asia with his list of commissions and exhibitions running into pages. With his artworks tested by the windiest of cities, the wires have held firm and suspended ferns, globes, chairs, frames, and rain-drops, glistening and amazing people around the world.

Neil has an established international reputation for his innovative sculpture. While his career has predominantly focused on the production of large-scale and site specific sculptures, Neil also exhibits regularly at dealer galleries where he shows smaller but equally precise suspended works, and wall sculptures, which explore both reality and illusion.

Over the past twelve months, Neil has undertaken a number of major international commissions, which have included Raindrops in Manchester, England,

Fanfare in Sydney, Australia (a temporary installation on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the 2004/05 New Year celebrations) and Anchor in Docklands, Melbourne.

Bomber Command Memorial in Canberra, Australia, was launched in July 2005. This work was developed in association with the Australian War Memorial and the RAAF Association to commemorate those who served and died with the Bomber Command during World War II. The design incorporates specific references to elements of the Bomber Command experience. Bombing operations occurred mainly at night; searchlights posed a major threat. Neil’s central 16.5 metre high stainless steel tower symbolises these searchlights. Bomber Command personnel, both air and ground crew, appear as silhouetted figures in the curved steel screen wall, 4.5 metres in length and 2.3 metres high. A glass plate at the base of the

searchlight depicts eight of the aircraft. The memorial is intended to be seen from a variety of perspectives as people walk around it. The sculpture was fabricated in New Zealand. Neil found the opening an “emotional occasion” having worked very closely with several of the World War II flyers, who were keen to see the memorial erected and who were also mostly present at the opening.

These recent and current projects ensure, as Jonathan Mane-Wheoki observes, that “three years on from the Laureate Award, Neil remains at the forefront of artists making sculptures for public places.

Neil is in the throes of completing his second project in Manchester, England, has an exhibition planned at the Janne land Gallery in Wellington in September, and is working on several private commissions.

Three years on from the Laureate Award, Neil remains at the forefront of artists making sculptures in public places.

J o n a t h o n M a n e - Wh e o k i

~ Neil Dawson — Bomber Command Flyby ~

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TriBuTe –

It was thrilling to be invited to develop an exhibition, which includes the work of all the Icons and Laureates of the Arts Foundation. For me, as a curator, it was an opportunity to bring together works of art that have not previously been seen in together in one public venue.

Milan Mrkusich’s and Ralph Hotere’s astonishingly powerful paintings are rarely seen in the same context. Similarly, Len Castle’s ceramic evocations of nature’s radiant topographies provide an energetic contrast to Michael Parekowhai’s own brilliant considerations of emotional memory.

Warwick Freeman and Julia Morison both know how to create images that have a quelling wallop, while also creating supremely elegant artwork. Diggeress Te Kanawa and Pakariki Harrison have contributed supreme examples of their remarkable art, which are already nationally honoured as taonga.

Peter Peryer has one of our nation’s insight-filled visions and a selection of his photographs from the past two decades forms an unforgettable tableau. Ronnie van Hout is gaining international attention for his intensely affecting sculptures and photographs that open up so many deep layers of feeling.

Ann Robinson is cherished as one of our world’s pre-eminent glass artists and this show brings out seven of her most ambitious sculptures. In parallel, Neil Dawson has been acclaimed all over the earth with his gravity defying sculptures.

Phil Dadson’s well-known videos and photographs pulse with colour and rhythmic syncopations. John Pule’s complex paintings are visual narratives redolent with images of voyages, myth and human relationships.

Such a memorable grouping of 16 New Zealand artists makes for an impressive affirmation of their innovative talents and their diversity.

Ron Brownson, Senior Curator, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki

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The Auckland Art Gallery, Toi O Tamati Tamaki, launched Tribute on 30 June. The exhibition will run until 20 August 2006. Curated by Ron Brownson, Senior Curator of New Zealand and Pacific Art at the Gallery, the exhibition is the first occasion where works by all 16 visual artists honoured by the Foundation can be experienced together in one exhibition. The resulting cross section of New Zealand visual arts provides a unique opportunity to consider contemporary practice in New Zealand and demonstrates an exciting strength in each artist’s individual voice.

1 July – 20 August 2006

Visual Artists Celebrated by The Arts Foundation of New Zealand

From the Curator

~ Ralph Hotere — Dawn Water Poem (after Manhire) 1985acrylic on canvas — Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki collection ~

~ Julia Morison — Decanted (9) GoldAuckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki collection gift of the Patrons of the Gallery 1997 ~

~ Derek Lardelli — Tawhiri – Uhi 2006acrylic, wood, custom wood — on loan from the artist ~

Leigh Davis was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Arts Foundation early this year. As well as maintaining a high business profile, Leigh is a poet, a critic, an artist and a publisher.

Born in Wanganui, Leigh completed an MA First Class Hons. in English at the University of Auckland, before going on to study at Victoria University of Wellington where he undertook numerous graduate papers including economics, mathematics, and commercial law. Since the early 1980s Leigh has been a businessman and merchant banker, working

Featured Trustee

in both the public and private sectors before starting his private equity investment company JUMP.

Leigh’s first book Willy’s Gazette (1983), which won the Best New Zealand First Book of Poetry Award, together with his co-editing of the magazine AND with Alex Calder and Roger Horrocks, led Leigh to become known as a leading avant-garde artist and public intellectual. Leigh Davis has published widely as a critic. His essays on art and letters have appeared in Landfall, ArtAsia Pacific, and Brief Description. He has also co-edited and published Te Tangi a te Matuhi, (co-edited with Wystan Curnow), General Motors, and The Book of Hours. He has contributed to art ventures and

Marilynn Webb is an artist and art educator, who gained international stature as a print-maker early in her career. Of part Nga Puhi descent, Webb trained under the Arts Advisory Scheme and worked as an arts adviser for the Department of Education in Auckland and Northland, and the Northern Maori Project.

In 1974 Marilynn took up the Frances Hodgkin Fellowship in Dunedin.She decided to stay, and still resides there today. She maintained part-time master class teaching and lecturing in the area and throughout the country, returning to fulltime lecturing at the Otago School of Art in 1988. In 2000 she became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contribution to printmaking in New Zealand, and in 2004 was made Emeritus Principal Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic School of Art.

Marilynn’s work is concerned with ecological and protection themes. She has worked with the Department of Conservation, local iwi and rununga in Southland regional areas.

The book Marilynn Webb: Prints and Pastels by Bridie Lonie, published by University of Otago Press, explores Webb’s career and surveys her work, providing an overview of her development and concerns as an artist.

Marilynn joined the Arts Foundation’s College of Governors at the end of 2004, and brings a broad knowledge base of the arts scene, as well as connections with the arts community of the south.

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Governors


Fellow Governor Roger Hall has had his classic 1970’s theatre piece Glide Time revived in a 30th Anniversary production by Maidment Theatre, Auckland; while Justin Paton’s books How to look at a Painting and Jeffrey Harris were selected as finalists in the 2006 Montana Book Awards, in the Illustrative and Lifestyle & Contemporary Culture categories respectively.

Glass Art Commissioned

The Arts Foundation is delighted to have commissioned glass artist Christine Cathie to design the ‘trophies’ for the New Generation Award.

Christine is an Auckland-based artist, whose abstract cast glass pieces are softly twisted to both absorb and reflect the light according

to the folds and curves of each piece.

The Foundation expects the commissioning of glass works will add a point of difference and value to this new Award. Other artists commissioned by the Foundation to create an exciting series of Award trophies are sculptor Terry Stringer (Laureate Awards), stone artist John Edgar (Icon Awards) and bronze-caster and sculptor Jim Wheeler (Governors Award).

~ Marilynn Webb ~

~ Marilynn Webb — Waitaki, River Rua — courtesy Williams Gallery ~

~ Christine Cathie — Ribbon ~

promotions including public lectures on art and poetry, as well as participating in the Bad Language Series (with Artspace) in 2001. His website is www.jackbooks.com.

With Wystan Curnow, Leigh and his wife Susan operate Jar, a Charitable Trust that provides a dedicated building for long term art installations accessible by the public. See www.jartrust.co.nz.

Leigh’s business, intellectual and arts backgrounds are a welcome addition to the strong group of Trustees that support the governance of the Arts Foundation.

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Forsyth Barr is a finalist in the NBR Sponsorship of the Arts Awards for their work with Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage. This recognition caps off a busy start to the year for Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage, which has recently been expanded to involve students.

By the end of this year, 41 Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage events will have been presented throughout New Zealand. At each event, three Laureate Artists present elements of their work and discuss aspects of life as an artist in New Zealand. The presentations have been wonderful and the discussion fascinating. For example, a recent audience in Invercargill learnt that Gaylene Preston turned down the ‘safe job’ of taking on the family milk run in favour of a career in film to her father’s despair. “Interesting to note what has happened to the film industry in New Zealand, compared with milk runs,” Gaylene commented. Audiences in Napier and Tauranga know the truth about the characters in Kate De Goldi’s books; yes, some of them are based on her relatives, to the point where her father often starts a family story with the statement, “Kate, this is not for publication!”

Forsyth Barr and the Arts Foundation felt that the insights provided by artists at Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage would be valuable for high school students considering an arts career.

School Principals have been invited to nominate their top students to write to Forsyth Barr and the Arts Foundation explaining how they would benefit from attending the event. Forsyth Barr and the Arts Foundation then select students to meet with Laureate Artists in private before the On-Stage event and to stay for the presentations.

The project has been a fantastic success. “I would like to thank you very much for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. Meeting successful New Zealanders in the field I am most interested in was an inspiring experience,” commented a student in Tauranga.

Laureate Artists have also highly praised the involvement of students. This encouraged the Arts Foundation to suggest to the Auckland Art Gallery that a series of Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage be presented to students in the Auckland region during the exhibition Tribute. With extra support from Forsyth Barr and funding from ASB Trusts, the Foundation is presenting ten Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage events to students during the last week of July.

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand is very grateful to Forsyth Barr, not only for their financial support of the project, but for actively being engaged in its development. “We are fortunate to have a committed partner who understands the goals of the Foundation and looks for opportunities to advance them. This initiative around the schools and their senior high performing students is a direct result of the regular dialogue which occurs between our two organisations. Forsyth Barr has been instrumental in getting this project underway and we are excited by the future possibilities around it,” said Simon Bowden, Arts Foundation Executive Director.

Schools that would like to learn more about this initiative should contact Trish Oakley at Forsyth Barr or Simon Bowden at the Arts Foundation.

Forsyth Barr Laureates-Onstage

sPonsors

~ 2002 Laureate Jacob Rajan performs an excerpt from Krishna’s Diary ~

~ Laureates Jack Body, Gaylene Preston and Neil Ieremia with Southland area college students — courtesy Southland Times ~

The ASB Trusts are providing significant funds to enable the Arts Foundation to present Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage to high school students in the Auckland region during the exhibition Tribute at the Auckland Art Gallery.

As Laureate Artists represent some of the finest working artists in New Zealand, ASB Trusts recognised the opportunity created by Forsyth Barr and the Arts Foundation to present these artists to high school students as role models. Students will have the opportunity to see and hear artists

ASB Trusts

present elements of their work, and to be involved in discussion about the arts in New Zealand.

The ASB Trusts contribute to the enhancement of equity and the enrichment of society in Auckland and Northland by supporting groups that work with or for the diverse peoples of the region to address social issues, meet educational and community needs, improve equity between groups and reduce poverty through innovative educational, social and economic programmes. The Trust also supports projects that enable citizens to become actively involved in society by participating in community activities, the arts and culture, and sport and recreation as well as

As Presenting Sponsor of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Awards, Freemasons New Zealand is providing significant support to artists in the early stages of their careers.

Freemasonry is a very old fraternal organisation whose fundamental aims are to promote the higher ideals of life. They are concerned with human values, moral standards, the rights of the individual and a concern for all in need. They are most well known for their work in caring for the elderly.

While being historically linked with science through the Royal Society, all Freemasons are urged to expand their interest in the arts. Famous Freemason artists include Mozart and Sibelius, Chagall and Hogarth, Voltaire, Kipling and Pope.

Freemason principles encompass a deep respect for learning and knowledge. Freemasons put their beliefs and their benevolence into practice through programmes of assistance in education and research. For example,

Freemasons New Zealand

Freemasons University Scholarship Programme is the largest publicly-funded programme of its type in New Zealand. Each year it rewards students in all the universities, across all disciplines, for academic excellence and community involvement, with scholarships presently worth $230,000.

The Chair of Gerontology (the scientific study of ageing) at Auckland University School of Medicine is funded by the Freemasons. At the other end of the age scale Freemasons Fellowships in paediatrics, awarded annually at Otago University, have reached well over $1million.

Freemasonry in New Zealand comprises almost 300 Lodges throughout the country. Its 11,000 members meet regularly to share in a special fellowship, which includes their families, and to help people through charity work and other community service. The Arts Foundation is very grateful to Freemasons New Zealand for their generous support of the arts. More information about the Freemasons can be found at: www.freemasons.co.nz

Ricoh New Zealand has recently joined the Arts Foundation’s family of sponsors as “Official Office Equipment Supplier” through the provision of a network printer and photocopier for the new Foundation offices.

Ricoh New Zealand is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd Japan, which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of Multi-Functional Devices, Network Printers, Fax machines, Scanners, Colour Imaging Systems, Document Solutions and related service and supplies. The company is renowned for its

Ricoh

state of the art electronic devices and photographic equipment, and this year celebrates 70 years of business. Ricoh ranks among worlds top 500 Industrial Corporations by Fortune Magazine, with sales of $US 20 billion per annum; it operates in 205 countries worldwide and employs over 75,000 people.

Here in New Zealand, Ricoh has its head office in Auckland and operates through a network of direct branch offices and dealers. The Arts Foundation is very grateful to Ricoh for sponsorship provided.

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~ Ronnie van Hout — Hello – Goodbye - Ronnie presents to students on 24 July ~

improving the quality of the physical environment, landscapes, sites and buildings and other artifacts that are of cultural or historical significance.

Founded on the sale of shares in the ASB bank, the ASB Trusts has granted more than $500m since being formed in 1988. With a fund of over $1 billion under management, it is New Zealand’s largest Community Trust and more than $50 million is given to community group projects each year.

The Arts Foundation is very grateful to ASB Trusts for the opportunity to present Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage to students from throughout the Auckland region.

Forsyth Barr – Principal sponsor

A New Zealand-owned company and Principal Sponsor of

the Arts Foundation, Forsyth Barr is proud to be investing in

New Zealand’s cultural heritage.

Presenting sponsor – laureate Awards Ceremony

Forsyth Barr enables the annual celebration and honouring

of five of New Zealand’s highest achieving artists.

naming sponsor – Forsyth Barr laureates on-stage

Forsyth Barr’s support provides a unique opportunity to

experience some of the finest, most exciting, working artists

in New Zealand.

Ron & Margaret Saunders Pamela & Brian Stevenson Dame Catherine Tizard

Silver Laureate Donors Lady Norma Beattie John & Diana Morrison

Bronze Laureate Donors Joe & Jackie Pope

Bronze Patrons Charlotte Anderson Graham Atkinson John Barnett Liz Bowen-Clewley & Greg Clewley Bill Brien & Frances Russell Chris & Lyn Brocket Julie & Robert Bryden Diana Cable Bruce & Margaret Carson Brecon & Jessica Carter Suzanne Carter Richard & Frances Cathie Kim Chamberlain & Henrietta Hall Helen Chambers Rick & Lorraine Christie Bruce & Jo Connor Robyn & Christopher Evans Helen & Keith Ferguson Charlotte & Robert Fisher Marc & Cecilia Fitz-Gerald Mr & Mrs E M Friedlander Jim Geddes Sue Gifford & Simon Skinner John & Trish Gribben Roger Hall Sir Michael & Lady Hardie Boys Philip & Leone Harkness John & Barbara Heslop Willi Hill Ken & Jennifer Horner Chris & Sue Ineson Peter & Trudy Keenan Grant Kerr Michael & Monica Laney Hilary Langer

The ArTs FoundATion oF new ZeAlAnd owes iTs

exisTenCe And ProjeCT Funding To A numBer

oF orgAnisATions wiTh vision And A PAssion

For The ArTs:

direCTorYjulY 2006

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Trustees Ros Burdon CNZM (Chair), Richard Cathie MNZM, Leigh Davis, Eion Edgar DCNZM, LLD (Hon), Karyn Fenton-Ellis, Michael Hill, Sir Hugh Kawharu ONZ, FRS (NZ), Fran Ricketts, Sir Ronald Scott ONZ, Brian Stevenson and Sir Miles Warren ONZ

Honorary Patron Her Excellency the Hon. Dame Silvia Cartwright, PCNZM, DBE Governor General of New Zealand

Honorary Vice Patrons Sir Michael & Lady Hardie Boys

Governors John McCormack (Chair), David Carson-Parker, Robin Congreve, Briar Grace-Smith, Roger Hall, Elizabeth Knox, Mary Jane O’Reilly, Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, Helen Medlyn, Justin Paton, Gaylene Preston, Georgina te Heuheu, Marilynn Webb Gillian Whitehead, Lloyd Williams, Rodney Wilson

Founding Patrons Roderick & Gillian Deane Eion & Jan Edgar Jenny Gibbs Fran & Geoff Ricketts John Todd James H. Wallace

Platinum Patron Margot Hutchison

Gold Corporate Patron National Business Review

Lifetime Patrons Ros & Philip Burdon David Carson-Parker John Dow

Gold Patrons Gus & Irene Fisher Sir Miles Warren David Wilton Anonymous (2)

Gold Laureate Donors Richard & Patricia Barnes Donald & Susan Best Colin Carruthers & Deborah Coddington Sue & Barry Dineen Roger Gaskell & Julie-Claire Baxter John & Merrill Holdsworth Don and Jannie Hunn John & Mary Marshall Brigid & Garry Plowman Colin Post & Brenda Young Lesley & Michael Shanahan Faith Taylor

Silver Patrons Wayne Boyd & Ann Clarke Laurie Greig Jillian & Dick Jardine Constance Kirkcaldie Fay Pankhurst

Arts Foundation of new Zealand Level 3, James Smith Building 55 Cuba Street, Wellington PO Box 11-352, Manners Street, Wellington Tel: 04 4711 374 Fax: 04 4999 383 Email: [email protected] Website: www.artsfoundation.org.nz

Photographers: Robert Catto, Peter Coad, Haru Sameshima, Scott Venning, Carmel Walsh.

Copy Editor: Kate Duignan

executive director: Simon Bowden Administrator: Angela Busby

Many individuals and organisations have supported the Arts Foundation through patronage donations, gifts and bequests since our emergence in 1999. This support is extremely important to the Foundation. Patrons’ continued loyalty and contribution to the cause is most gratefully acknowledged.

Foundation organisation

The New Zealand Lottery Grants

Board provided a capital base of

$5 million to establish the Arts

Foundation Endowment Fund.

Official Print Supplier

Official Beverage Supplier

Official IT supplier

official Marketing Advisor

Official Designer

Official Office Equipment supplier

Presenting sponsor –

new generation Awards

As funder of both the awards and event,

Freemasons New Zealand is providing

significant support to artists in the early

stages of their careers.

donors

Philanthropic trusts provide valuable donations to support

infrastructure and events.

supporting providers

The following companies provide generous support through

the provision of high quality services.

Annie K. H. Lee Ken Lister & Barbara Bridger Helen Lloyd Eugenie Loomans Mary Lynskey Janice Macleod Eileen McGrath-Hadwen Sir Roy McKenzie Joy Mebus Alexandra Morley-Hall Barbara & Roger Moses Douglas Myers Robert & Freda Narev Mike Nicolaidi Rob & Jacqui Nicoll Mervyn & Francoise Norrish Trish & Roger Oakley Neil & Phillipa Paviour-Smith Michael Prentice Chris & Sue Prowse Professor Hilary Radner Don & Moira Rennie Andrew Robertson & Niina Suhonen Lyn & Bruce Robertson Sir Ronald & Lady Beverley Scott Deborah Sellar Lindsay Shelton Max & Laraine Shepherd Jan Spary John & Robyn Spooner Roger Steele Scott & Vicki St John Sir Angus Tait Kathleen Tipler & Michael Cole Turnovsky Endowment Trust Philip van Dyk Kerrin & Noel Vautier Fredricka E M Walker-Murray James L. D. & Eve Wallace Margaret Wheeler Helen & Geoff Whitcher Gillian Whitehead The Waimarama Trust Helen Young Peter T. Young Anonymous (6)

Documents

Applause - Issue 11