Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

New gallery boost for Maori artists

Updated at 6:34 am on 30 November 2012

Maori scholars, artists and kaumatua will begin consultation on the new Maori Art Gallery as part of the multi-million dollar Hundertwasser Art Centre project in Whangarei.

Whangarei District Council has appointed eight eminent Maori scholars and artists as a panel of advisors for the project which is due to open in 2015.

Friedensreich Hundertwasser of Austria was one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists and considered Northland a second home.

Panel chair Elizabeth Ellis said the establishment of a Maori Art Gallery will showcase contemporary Maori art to the world.

She said it will provide an exciting forum for Maori creativity and will build a positive profile for all Maori and in turn will raise a positive profile for all New Zealanders.

Ms Ellis said the challenge for the panel now is to communicate with Maori around the country to ensure the finest quality and best art is displayed in the new gallery.

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