Sarjeant Gallery

Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui

The Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui is a regional art museum with a collection of international and New Zealand art, located in Pukenamu Queen's Park, Whanganui.

Founding and building

The Sarjeant was built as the result of a bequest to the city by Henry Sarjeant in 1912. Sarjeant bequeathed the money "for the inspiration of ourselves and those who come after us".[1] A competition was held to select an architect for the project; the winner was Dunedin architect Edmund Anscombe, but it is likely the actual design was completed by a young student in his offices names Donald Hosie.[1] The cruciform, neo-classical style gallery was opened in 1919. Four galleries branch off a central space capped with an oculus in a hemispherical dome.[2]

The buildng is registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand) as a Category I Historic Place with registration number 167, and has the highest possible listing under the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Act.[3]

Collections

There are more than 8,300 artworks in the gallery's collection, spanning 400 years.[4] Initially focused on 19th and early 20th century British and European art but, given the expansive terms of the will of benefactor Henry Sarjeant, the collection now spans 16th century through to 21st century. Among the collections are historic and modern works in all media – on paper, sculptures, pottery, ceramics and glass; bronze works; video art; and paintings by contemporary artists and old masters. International artists featured in the collection include Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Domenico Piola, Frank Brangwyn, Bernardino Poccetti, Gaspard Dughet, William Richmond, William Etty, Lelio Orsi, Frederick Goodall, and Augustus John. Among the New Zealand born or based artists featured in the collection are Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Pat Hanly, Charles Frederick Goldie, Gottfried Lindauer and Petrus van der Velden.[5]

The Sarjeant also has a major collection of the works of Whanganui-born painter Edith Collier.[6]

Tylee Cottage Residency

Since 1986, the Sarjeant Gallery has facilitated the Tylee Cottage Residency.[7]

Redevelopment

Christchurch-based architecture firm Warren and Mahoney won a competition for the redevelopment of the Sarjeant in 1999.[8] This includes seismic strengthening and the addition of a north-facing extension which will not be visible from the south-facing iconic facade.[9]

In 2014 the Sarjeant Gallery shifted to new, temporary premises on Taupo Quay, while the gallery building undergoes earthquake strengthening and fundraising for the extension continued.[10]

The redevelopment is planned to be completed to coincide with the gallery's centenary in 2019. The project is estimated to cost $34 million.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 Gray, Pete (2 July 2014). "Gallery's architecture tale of deception". Wanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  2. "Gallery's architecture provides artistic inspiration". Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  3. "Sarjeant Gallery". Register of Historic Places. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  4. Martin, Robin. "Art gallery has one week to find $3.3m". RNZ. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  5. Daly-Peoples, John (27 November 2015). "Whanganui's Sarjeant Gallery to get multimillion dollar extension". National Business Review. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  6. Drayton, Joanne. "Collier, Edith Marion". Te Ara - The Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  7. "Tylee Cottage Artist-in-Residence Programme". Sarjeant Gallery.
  8. Frances, Helen. "Whanganui's Sarjeant Gallery". ArchitectureNow. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  9. "Sarjeant Gallery". Warren and Mahoney. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  10. "Photos: Sarjeant on the Quay". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  11. Daly-Peoples, John (27 November 2015). "Whanganui's Sarjeant Gallery to get multimillion dollar extension". National Business Review. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
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Coordinates: 39°55′52.38″S 175°3′11.96″E / 39.9312167°S 175.0533222°E / -39.9312167; 175.0533222

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