The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery holds a small but significant collection of contemporary visual art works. The Gallery's long-held policy is to acquire works that represent current ideas and are significant in the development of the contemporary visual arts in the Pacific Rim. The collection is intended to provide a usable resource for the Gallery's exhibition and education programmes rather than a repository for art historical artefacts.
In practice, the Gallery focuses on collecting work by emerging and mid-career New Zealand artists and artists from the Pacific Rim. It acquires works that, while characteristic of the artists' output, are distinctive, are of exceptional quality or have some special relevance to the Gallery or the Pacific region. The resulting works from the Gallery's collection are in frequent demand for exhibitions throughout New Zealand and overseas.
Acquisitions are funded from income generated by bequests, principally the Monica Brewster bequest. Gifts of art works are from artists and other donors. Approval for all acquisitions is sought from the New Plymouth District Council. In the case of a disagreement between the Council and the Gallery Director, an advisory committee consisting of Directors of the four metropolitan New Zealand art museums may be asked to make a final decision.
The Gallery has an active de-accessioning policy, which is designed to keep the collection current and of a high standard. The de-accessioning process is subject to strict controls that are monitored by representatives from the art museum sector and the New Plymouth District Council.
Recent additions to the permanent collection include:
- Bill Culbert
View West Taranaki 2008
Installation comprising suitcases, acrylic sheet, fluorescent lights, theatrical gels, paint, electrical cabling
Dimensions variable
- Reuben Paterson
Time and Place 2007
1st of an ongoing edition, each is unique (red, blue, green, silver, gold)
sequins, pins, polyurethane foam
310 x 210mm each
- Peter Peryer
Tecomanthe 2006 13/15
Selenium toned gelatin silver print
160 x 120mm
- Ann Shelton
Opus, The Norian (No right angles) Wall, Frankley Road, New Plymouth, Part of the Edgar Roy Brewster House originally at Sanders Ave 2004 2/5
C-type print (diptych)
Edition of 5 plus 2 artist’s proofs
710 x 900mm (each)
- Francis Upritchard
Horse Man 2008
Modelling material, steel, synthetic polymer paint
545 x 160 x 410mm
- Francis Upritchard
Rainwob Tree 2008
Macrocarpa, modelling material, synthetic polymer paint
1000 x 1700 x 1400mm
- Fiona Pardington
Ka Koriki Te Manu/ The Chorus of Birds, ‘Hinemokomoki’ Whekau Laughing Owl
AV5736 Otago Museum 2004
From an edition of 5
Gold tone gelatin silver photograph
Framed 1070 x 880mm
- Paul Hartigan
Vics Galactica Bar & Sluice Club 2005 - Gift
C-type print
Framed 1850 x 2500mm (diptych)
- Gabriel Kuri
Five views of something hidden 1 2006
printed nylon banner 180 x 240cm
wall 3360 x 3000mm
- Lisa Reihana
Digital Marae: Hinepukohurangi 2001
colour digital print on aluminium
2000 x 1000mm edition 5 of 5
- Lisa Reihana
Digital Marae: Marakihau 2001
colour digital print mounted on aluminium
2000 x 1000mm edition 5 of 5
- Lisa Reihana
Digital Marae: Dandy 2007
colour digital print mounted on aluminium
2000 x 1200mm edition 1 of 5
- Lisa Reihana
Digital Marae: Maui 2007
colour digital print mounted on aluminium
2000 x 1200mm edition 1 of 5
- Yvonne Todd
Female Study (Gold) 2007
diptych, 2 lightjet prints
1400 x 1168mm each, edition 3 of 3 + 1 ap
- Octavia Cook
The Tsarina
c.1905 Ceremonial Hand Mirror Pendant
acrylic, plastic mirror and stg. silver with ‘emerald-cut’ bevelled glass mirror
360 x 600mm
- Octavia Cook
Mr and Mrs Cook 2005
acrylic, stg. silver and 18ct gold
850x 710mm edition 2 of 3
- Fiona Pardington
Taranaki Heitiki White Mussel Shell Eyes, Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum 2002
toned silver bromide fibre based print
550 x 420mm edition 3 of 5
- Fiona Pardington
Inanga, Heitiki, North Island (Toru Tekau ma Rua) Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum 2002
toned silver bromide fibre based print
550x 420mm edition 5 of 5
- Joe Sheehan
Spending Time 2006
South Australian black jade in marine plywood case, brass hinge
240x 240x 35mm
- Edith Amituanai
The Sagapolu Lounge From the series ‘Miss Amituanai‘ 2005
type C print
600 x 520mm
- Edith Amituanai
Miss Amituanai From the series ‘Mrs Amituanai’ 2005
type C print
750 x 670mm
- Edith Amituanai
Line and Shiloh playing cards From the series ‘Mrs Amituanai‘ 2005
type C print
700x 670mm
- Edith Amituanai
Mr Manu 2006
type C print
750 x 670mm
- Ben Cauchi
The Hermetic Seal (small) 2006
photograph 10 x 8” tintype
- Ben Cauchi
White Shroud 2006
photograph 10 x 8” tintype
- Anne Noble
Antarctica, Discovery Museum, Dundee, 2003/2007
from White Lantern series
pigment print on paper
1000mm x 750mm, edition of 10
- Anne Noble
Deception Island, Antarctica, 2005/2007
from White Lantern series
pigment print on paper
1000mm x 750mm, edition of 10
- Lin Tianmiao
Growing 2003
Silver gelatine photograph
500x 7000mm
- Ngahina Hohaia
Roimata Toroa 2006
woollen blanket, embroidery silk, ribbon
- Tony Nicholls
Towers 2006
computer-generated and recorded sound
audio equipment, string and mixed media
Dimensions variable
- Rohan Wealleans
Disciple of the Pearl 2006
paint, fibreglass, polystyrene and metal stand
- Michael Smither
Sand 1987
artist’s book 97/400, limited edition of 400
14 pages black & white
302 x 435mm
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