30 | Gallery set for major redevelopment T Karen Phelps Whanganui - McMillan & Lockwood - Sarjeant Gallery REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The redevelopment of the Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui will be a drawcard for the region, says project director Gaye Batty. “It’s not just an art gallery. It’s an art gallery on land that is sacred and special. It will be a homage for mana whenua and a huge attraction for local and international tourists,” she says. A partnership between Whanganui District Council, Whanganui Iwi, central government, along with private donors and sponsors both large and small, the project will be the largest cultural project undertaken in Whanganui since the building of the original gallery and the largest arts project in the lower North Island since Te Papa. The project will preserve the original 1919 building and also protect the gallery’s nationally important collection, which includes approximately 8,300 pieces spanning 400 years of international and New Zealand art history. Outside the main centres, the Sarjeant’s collection is the largest art collection held in a regional art gallery in New Zealand. Included in the collection are works in a broad range of media from paintings and works on paper to sculpture, installations, ceramics and glass. The Sarjeant Gallery holds the largest collection of works by Edith Collier, with over 400 items held in the Edith Collier Trust Collection. Contemporary collecting is led by the Tylee Cottage Artist in Residence Programme, the longest running artist residency in New Zealand and forms a significant body of work responding to the Whanganui Region and history. The collection has been appraised by both Art + Object in Auckland and Christie’s of London and was valued at approximately $30 million in 2019. Once completed in 2023 the project will see the original building earthquake strengthened and the creation of a new wing with a temperature and humidity controlled storage area, further gallery spaces, an education facility, event and function areas, staff offices, a board room, reception area, a café and a new retail space. Gaye says that the end result will be that more of the permanent collection will be able to be displayed as well as looking after the collection for the future. It will also provide the possibility of majoring touring exhibitions visiting Whanganui. Local mana whenua, Tupoho have been heavily involved in the project from the outset and have input into the design of the new wing by Warren and Mahoney as well as to how to sensitively incorporate cultural elements into the interior aesthetics. The new wing will honour the memory of Sir Archie Te Atawhai Taiaroa, for his contribution to leadership in the Manawatū-Whanganui region and will be known as te Pataka o Sir Archie John Te Atawhai Taiaroa. “It’s not just an art gallery. It’s an art gallery on land that is sacred and special. It will be a homage for mana whenua and a huge attraction for local and international tourists.” Constructed by McMillan & Lockwood, the project has not been without significant challenges. The original building, clad in Oamaru stone, is situated at Pukenamu Queen’s Park overlooking Whanganui. It is one of New Zealand’s oldest purpose built galleries, built in the neo-classical Greek-cross style, and is listed as a Category 1 heritage building by the Heritage New Zealand. Thrown into the mix, the ground it is situated on is a sand dune. Gaye says the project has necessitated the expertise of a large number of technical experts along with close input from local iwi due to the cultural and spiritual significance of the site. Flexibility has been important as further surprises have been discovered as the project has commenced. “The team has had to be flexible and adapt quickly to ensure the project remains within budget. McMillan & Lockwood has collaboratively engaged in this process, coming up with innovative construction solutions when required.” While construction works are underway the gallery is operating from a temporary site at 38 Taupō Quay. The entire collection can also be viewed on the Sarjeant Gallery’s multi-award winning digital collection portal called ‘explore the collection’. The new wing will honour the memory of Sir Archie Te Atawhai Taiaroa, for his contribution to leadership in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? Put yourself in front of potential clients
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