LEN LYE'S WORK

Though best known internationally as a film-maker, Lye used many different forms of expression, including textiles, painting, drawing, static and kinetic sculpture. He was also a writer of poetry, fanciful letters, stories and utopian theoretical texts dealing with the relationship between art, individuality, and happiness.

EXPLORE THE WORK

Collections

LEN LYE COLLECTION

The Len Lye Collection and Archive consists of all non-film works in Lye’s possession at the time of his death in 1980, as well as several items that have been gifted or acquired by the Foundation since. This body of work is extended by Len Lye works in the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. The New Zealand Film Archive is the repository of Lye’s film prints that are owned by the Len Lye Foundation, and viewing prints are also in the Collection at the Govett-Brewster.

The relational database of the Len Lye Collection and Archive consists of 3,772 catalogue entries with an estimated total of 18,000 items. An inventory of the collection includes:
•  24 paintings
•  52 unique photograms
•  10 textile works
•  14 rare books
•  Approximately 1,000 photographs, many documenting his sculpture
•  33 16mm film prints (some of which are included in the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Collection)
•  12 linear metres of archival material, comprised of 120 boxes containing approximately 1,200 individual folders
• 16 exhibition-standard kinetic sculptures (two of which are included in the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Collection)
•  530 audio tapes
•  Approximately 11,000 slides
•  1,400 ‘doodles’, drawings and prints
•  Various materials from the artist’s studio and
•  Approximately 14 kinetic sculptures to be reconstructed or developed.

Image: Len Lye Universe 1976 (1998 reconstruction)