Several pages in to the catalogue the true dimensions of the works become apparent - all six feet of Michael Parekowhai's piece (Lot 24) is so effectively conveyed by the clever placement of the dimunitve Kregar lightbox (Lot 25) above the Kapa Haka security guard's head.
The 3D aspect of the catalogue is a clever device to winningly display the many different media featured in this fine collection of contemporary work.
The 77 works being offered by Webb's are the culmination of the more than twenty years of collecting by the one family and offer key works from the last decades of New Zealand contemporary art. With a pre-auction estimate of excess of $1 million dollars, the Çollection has good representation from all the notables such as Parekowhai, Bill Hammond, Shane Cotton, Peter Stichbury, Heather Straka, Rick Killeen, Fiona Pardington Stephen Bambury and Julian Dashper.
Some highlights include Heather Straka's pair of portraits King Tawhio (Lot 19) and The Virgin of Seven Sorro (Lot 20) ($15,000-20,000 each); Don Binney's Kokako, Tiritiri Matangi (Lot 33) ($70,000-90,000) Bill Hammond's Choregraph Screen (Lot 34) ($140,000-190,000) Sara Hughs' Deflate 1(Lot 52) ($4,500-6,500) and Peter Stichbury's Lily Donaldson (Lot 21) ($28,000-$38,000).
A fine selection of photography is presented and it would seem likely that Gregor Kregar's other group of art objects, a group of ceramic dogs collectively known as Mongrel Mob should be keenly sought at a reasonable $400-900 each.
Webb's have gone to lengths to highlight their comparatively low 12.5% buyer's premium in their pre-auction press release and this will no doubt prove to be of interest to bidders - particularly those interested in the more expensive pieces on offer.
