SPECACLAR BOOK LAUNCH IN SPECTACULAR LOCATION FOR SPECTACULAR TITLE

Last night I was privileged, along with 150 or so others, to get a sneak preview of the Auckland Art Gallery extension and refurbishment.

We gathered in the almost completely (and most beautifully) restored East Gallery for the launch of Mary Kisler's stunning new book, Angels &Aristocrats (Random House).
The book is "a superlative narrative of the history of European art on public display in New Zealand and the precursor to a major touring exhibition in 2011" .
First to speak at the launch was Gallery Director Chris Saines who gave us a fascinating insight into the history of the East Gallery before then talking about the author, her enormous reputation in the NZ art world and the great respect with which she is held by her Auckland Art Gallery colleagues.

Kim Hill was up from Wellington to launch the book and in introducing her Random House Publisher Nicola Legat said that

‘When I became Publishing Director of Random House in 2006 I had a short list of books I really wanted to publish. One of the highlights of my Saturday mornings was listening to Mary Kisler’s chats with Kim Hill about art and I just knew Mary could write a beautiful book. So we got in touch, and four years later this monster book was delivered. It’s a treasure and it reminds us of our national treasures, the paintings that we as New Zealanders all own. Some of them have been forgotten, overlooked. I’m convinced readers will be excited by what they read. For example, there’s one painting in the Wanganui collection that I just want to get in my car and go and see, and Mary has made that happen.’

Kim launched the book in true Kim Hill style, with humour and panache, Mary responded gracefully, and then spent some time signing copies of her simply beautiful book for their delighted purchasers. A great night was had by all.
The Bookman would like to pay special tribute to Mary Kisler and to publishers Random House and designer Fiona Lascelles for a stunning publication which achieves standards of production and design of the very highest order. Superb is thr word that springs to mind.