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Te Papa to host Venice Biennale works

28 Apr 2009
Creative New Zealand and Te Papa have announced that the national museum will host a special exhi

Creative New Zealand and Te Papa have announced that the national museum will host a special exhibition of New Zealand’s 2009 Venice Biennale entries in 2010.

Te Papa’s Chief Executive, Dr Seddon Bennington confirmed today that the museum is very excited to be involved.

Creative New Zealand and Te Papa have announced that the national museum will host a special exhibition of New Zealand’s 2009 Venice Biennale entries in 2010.

Te Papa’s Chief Executive, Dr Seddon Bennington confirmed today that the museum is very excited to be involved.

“Te Papa is pleased to support New Zealand at the Venice Biennale in 2009 and to be able to showcase these significant works by Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard during the New Zealand International Arts Festival in 2010.”

Creative New Zealand’s Art Council Chair, Alastair Carruthers, welcomed Te Papa’s support.  “The exhibitions will be a magnet for international visitors to Venice from June to December.  And Te Papa’s significant investment will ensure New Zealanders can then see the work at home.  It’s vital that we give as many people as possible the chance to experience what two of our finest artists will present on behalf of the nation,” he said.

Artists Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard are representing New Zealand in a six month exhibition at the 2009 Venice Biennale – widely recognised as the world’s most significant visual arts presentation.  Over 90 countries will present work by their most significant artists.

Te Papa will contribute $110,000 to the project.  The works will return to New Zealand as part of the Toi Te Papa Art of the Nation exhibition on Level 5. Entry to this exhibition will be free to the public.

Te Papa’s contribution will join donations totalling $290,000 from private patrons, and many of these supporters will travel to Venice for the opening in early June. “The artists and CNZ are delighted by the generosity shown by so many people,” Mr Carruthers said.  “It reinforces the exhibition’s significance to New Zealanders and the calibre of these outstanding artists.”

Two works presented at previous Biennales are held in Te Papa’s collection: Jacqueline Fraser’s 2001 A Demure Portrait of the Artist Strip Searched and Michael Stevenson’s 2003 This is the TREKKA.