New Zealand's premier contemporary arts event, Auckland Art Fair, returns in May 2009 featuring the best art from Australia and New Zealand and a public challenge to: 'get your head around art'.Auckland Art Fair 09 takes place at Viaduct Harbour, Auckland City from 1-3 May with 40 select exhibitions by New Zealand and Australia's leading galleries and top artists.

Building on the success of its previous two events, the biennial fair brings together under one roof, the leading edge of contemporary art from New Zealand and Australia, "showing the most exciting, contentious and forward thinking figures in the art world today," says Art Fair director Jennifer Buckley.

From Australia comes David Rosetzky whose video portrait of actor Cate Blanchett was a major commission for the recently opened National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, controversial photographer Bill Henson, and new work from leading Northern Territory aboriginal artists. New Zealand artists will include newly emerging talent through to established names including the reclusive Bill Hammond, Venice Biennale representative Judy Miller, Walters Prize winner Peter Robinson and Walters Prize finalist John Reynolds.

And to celebrate the trans-Tasman connection, a collectable catalogue is being published as a glossy art book. Entitled New Art Now, the book features guest essays by leading arts commentators and is exclusive to Auckland Art Fair 09. In addition to the feast of artworks, Auckland Art Fair 09 offers opportunities for the public to discover more about art through a keynote lecture and twice daily public lectures by local and international speakers. Plus there's a sumptuous opening night Vernissage, a specially commissioned installation by an exciting emerging artist and an enhanced sculpture court. "We want people to help people get their heads around contemporary art," Ms Buckley says. "It is a unique event that offers a huge range of contemporary art and the opportunity to educate, inspire and enlighten people about it."

All artwork at Auckland Art Fair 09 is for sale and Ms Buckley says the market for contemporary art worldwide continues to sidestep the recessionary mood. "Art fairs meet a desire for anyone, from art appreciator to committed collector, to browse, question, learn about and indulge their love of art in one place, at one time. "Our audience is looking for quality and security. They want work from reputable dealers who they can trust. An event like this offers that benchmark in quality."

Tickets for Auckland Art Fair 09 and related functions are available from iticket 0508 iTICKET (484 253) or www.iticket.co.nz and are priced from $22.50 for single visit to $165 for a full event package, including a ticket to the opening night Vernissage, full weekend pass and catalogue 'New Art Now'. For more information on the event visit www.aucklandartfair.co.nz

The Auckland Art Fair is presented by the NZ Contemporary Art Trust with the assistance of its Principal Sponsor, Hesketh Henry; Major Partners ANZ Private Bank and Staples Rodway; Founding Partners Auckland City Council, Heart of the City and Tourism Auckland; and with hospitality support from Mirvac Hotels and Kim Crawford Wines.

Artists to be featured in Auckland Art Fair 09 include: *Colin McCahon * Laurence Aberhart * Gregor Kregar * Jeff Thompson * Ann Robinson * Judy Millar * Shane Cotton * John Pule * Gavin Hipkins * Andrew McLeod * Stephen Bambury * Callum Innes * Tony Oursler * Saskia Leek * Anne Noble * Simon Denny * Richard Lewer * WD Hammond * Yvonne Todd * Max Gimblett * Paul Dibble * John Reynolds * Peter Robinson * Yuk King Tan * Pae White * Bill Culbert * Wayne Youle * Joe Sheehan * Brett Graham * Fatu Feuu * Nigel Brown * Jim Cooper * Daniel von Sturmer * Louise Weaver * Ronnie Van Hout * Ricky Swallow * Linde Ivemey * Tim Maguire * Angela Brennan * Ken Whisson * Tracey Moffatt * Bill Henson *Fiona Hall * David Rosetzky * Patricia Piccininni

01/03/09