Beloved: Works from the Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Celebrating New Zealand’s first Public Gallery

This month sees the launch of a major collection exhibition along with a truly sumptuous accompanying publication, Beloved: Works from the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

Extending through the entire downstairs gallery spaces, Beloved commemorates the125th year of the establishment of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. This project sets out to showcase the masterpieces that have been collected, gifted and championed by a diverse group of inspired individuals, community organizations, academics, civic leaders, keen aesthetes, artists and art professionals over the years.

Several years in the making, Beloved, the publication, promises to be a highly sought after introduction to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery’s magnificent collection of historical and contemporary paintings, photographs, works on paper, sculptures, decorative items and installations. Nearly two decades on from the original collection book Treasures, Beloved will reintroduce readers to the prized pieces housed by the Gallery, provide updates to the collection alongside more than 200 sumptuous colour reproductions. A major production, this book has brought national and international art experts together to provide their insights into New Zealand’s first Public Art Collection

To coincide with the launch of this new book the Gallery will also present the Beloved exhibition. While the publication follows a chronological pattern the exhibition places an emphasis on the dialogue between the works by clustering various items around a series of themes. In keeping with the visionary establishment of this Gallery and its rich collections, Beloved sets out to be contemporary in its treatment, emphasizing not only the present, but also the history of art. It is hoped that this approach will provide plenty of scope for viewers to re-familiarise themselves with the Gallery’s treasures, while also offering an opportunity to discover new gems and connections between its great holdings.

The Bookman cannot enthuse enough about this magnificent piece of publishing. From the appealing cover with its generous French folds through to the long and interesting Introduction by Robyn Notman, to the contents and interior design, and finishing up with the glossary & selected bibliography this is one knock-out of a book. My congratulations to all concerned.

Beloved is the perfect Christmas gift for the art lover in your life. And it is a steal at $65.00 !

Details:
Editors - Robyn Notman and Lynda Cullen
Editorial support - Aaron Kreisler, Priscilla Pitts, Calre McIntosh
Designer - Karina McLeod
Reproductions co-ordinator - Genevieve Webb
Copy editor/proof reader - Anna Rogers
Photography - Bill Nichol
ISBN: 0 - 908910-58-4
Publisher - Dunedin Public Art Gallery