The public is being given rare opportunity to view one of New Zealand's most significant group collections of contemporary art in the latest exhibition at the Fisher Gallery. This is the Prospect Collection, which will be on display at the gallery from 27th may to the 17th June.
The exciting vitality of New Zealand art in the ‘60s and ‘70s is vividly portrayed by this collection. It includes works by most significant artists of this period - who are now New Zealand’s most established contemporary artists. Represented are, for instance Colin McCahon, Patrick Hanly, Milan Mrkusich, Philip Trusttum, Robert Ellis, Jeffrey Harris, Phillip Clairmont, Gordon Walters, Tony Fomison - and so the list goes on.
The Collection was begun in 1978 at a time when it was still possible to readily acquire a wide range of contemporary New Zealand art. Jointly owned by a group of Auckland businessmen and their wives, it is normally housed in members’ homes and exchanged twice yearly. It has only been exhibited in its entirety once before. New works are continually being added to the collection, both to make the representation of established artists more comprehensive and to include works of lesser known artists.