The Eastern Southland Gallery has been fortunate to have received a number of gifts to its permanent collection over the past 2-3 years.

The Recent Acquisitions exhibition showcases some of those works, as well as a number of purchases made with the support of the wider arts community.

Of special note are six Southland historic drawings dating from 1856 by early surveyor John Turnbull Thomson from his field diaries. These were purchased with the assistance of the Hokonui Runanga. 

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Flying Lesson from Gregory O’Brien's 2019 exhibition The Wading Birds of Drybread also features. The work is a painted hardboard aeroplane made during his residency at Henderson House, Alexandra and was inspired by a flight in a Tiger Moth at Mandeville.

The gallery added two botanical etchings by Jo Ogier to it's collection to mark the passing of longtime member, former president and supporter Dorothy Marshall. Two further works from the same series were also donated by the artist.

Meeting Cook at Dusky by Nigel Brown

Meeting Cook at Dusky, a painting by Nigel Brown was part of a larger gift of 33 works gifted by the artist and his partner Sue McLaughlin to the gallery’s permanent collection. The work was produced while the couple were living at Cosy Nook on Southland’s rugged southern coast.

A beautiful landscape work by prominent 20th century New Zealand artist Evelyn Page was gifted to the gallery in early 2020 by Elizabeth Taylor of Wellington. An excellent example of Page’s work, this painting has a connection with major gallery donor John Money. Through his deep interest in classical music Money became a friend of the artist’s husband, composer Frederick Page.

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An important Southland work by celebrated New Zealand photographer Laurence Aberhart was also donated to the collection. The black and white photograph was part of an exhibition of vintage prints at the Darren Knight Gallery in Sydney when it came to the attention of Australian-based supporter and benefactor Tim Gerrard. Mr Gerrard offered to make a significant contribution towards the purchase of this work and the exhibiting gallery gave considerable support in order that the work could ‘come home’. The purchase was also acquired with the assistance of Tim Gerrard, Darren Knight and Suzie Melhop, Philip Casey, Stephen Casey, Jane McMeeken, and Pam Wilson.

The most recent acquisition comes from leading New Zealand photographer Mark Adams who undertook a photo essay of the Murihiku area in 1992. One of the resulting works Te Rere o Te Aunui – Mataura Falls has been gifted by the artist.

Portrait of Kirby Wright by Michael Smither

The exhibition is rounded out with three donated works by Sam Neill - Portrait of Sam Neill by Alan Pearson, Portrait of Kirby Wright by Michael Smither and the sculpture Oarnest by Denis O’Connor, along with three works by Christchurch artist Philip Trusttum, gifted by regular benefactors Patricia Bosshard Browne and Kobi Bosshard.

Admission to the Eastern Southland Gallery exhibition is free. Gallery Hours are Monday to Friday 10am – 4.30pm, Weekends 1-4pm.