On behalf of Lydia, here is an overview of UC Art collection acquisitions for 2018.

Following the loss of the 2018 art acquisitions funding as part of the budget challenge, the Art Acquisitions Committee managed to obtain $20 000 from a special VC’s fund for the purchase of artworks.

Seven works were purchased in 2018, and were selected for their teaching and learning potential as well as aesthetic for display on campus. A  puchased work by Julia Holderness and a donated work by Ivy Fife were selected this week by our new VC for display in her office, which was a nice outcome. Textile art works by female artists are a particular strength in the UC art collection. Many of these are historic, dating back to the 1920’s and 1930’s when embroidery was taught as a subject. There is currently a resurgence in craft and textile practice we are actively acquiring. A further small selection of donations were accepted that reflect strengths in the collection and or support research, teaching and learning.

Art Acquisition purchases:

• Julia Holderness, Florence Weir skirt design with Vandyke border (for Veronika, Act 1), 2018, felt, wool applique, 830 x 720mm
• Julia Holderness, Colour Wheel (Florence Akins) #1, felt, wool applique, 332 x 332mm 2018
• Tom Kriesler, Caminito IV, and Caminito, 1989, screenprints on paper (no. 12 out of edition of 20)
• Dan Arps, Baffling (Special Effects Copper), 2018, polyurethane and enamel paint, 60 x 105 x 15cm
• Emma Fitts, The Huntress with silk and felt, 2018, dyed canvas, wool
• Emma Fitts, The Huntress with silk and felt, dyed canvas, wool, 2018, ink jet photograph

Donations:

•   A small donation from the Helen Garrett Estate of stoneware pottery and glass by significant New Zealand practitioners was accepted and will add to the studio pottery collection developed by the College of Education.
• A series of sketch books by artist and graduate Des Helmore. These will be used to highlight a UC graduates practice of several decades.
• Two water colour paintings by Vera Beattie from her estate were donated to support the UC Foundation request to honour her generous financial bequest.
• One framed water colour by Ivy Fife was donated by the family of the artist. Fife was a significant female artist and UC graduate. This adds to an excellent collection of works already held by the artist. An article on her practice will be published in Art New Zealand this year.

Art purchases will continue for 2019, with $30 000 having been secured by the committee from the VC’s fund.