A major exhibition of rare fine art works is being held in Wellington ahead of an auction in Auckland later this month.
About 20 works from the auction, including works by Bill Hammond, Ralph Hotere, Charles Goldie, Don Binney and Michael Parekowhai will be on display in the preview show.
Webbs auction house will sell 85 pieces valued at up to $2.5m on March 27.
Director-head of fine arts Sophie Coupland said the collection covers all periods of New Zealand’s art history as well as international works by Andy Warhol and Jim Dine.
Three works by Bill Hammond are included in the exhibition out of the seven to be auctioned. Included in these is Last Night Jar in Congested Sky, expected to fetch between $250,000 and $300,000.
Ralph Hotere’s Vidyapati’s Song, estimated to reach between $210,000 and $270,000 will also be on display.
Coupland said fine art auctions had migrated to Auckland where there was a larger art-buying market, but they wanted to give the opportunity for Wellington curators, artists and collectors to see some of the works which would otherwise only be viewed in books.
The auction features works from a number of collections, she said.
“One of the reasons we wanted to come this time to Wellington is the quality of the offering, which is really exceptional.
“The work by Bill Hammond [Last Night Jar in Congested Sky] is the most significant work ever to be offered at auction.”
The exhibition is being held at The Young, 2/7 Hawker Street, Mt Victoria. It opens tonight from 6pm till 8 pm and is open to the public. It can also be viewed from 10am till 5pm tomorrow and 10am till 3pm on Saturday.
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