BELOVED

Founded in 1884 the Dunedin Public Art Gallery is the first public art gallery in New Zealand.  The exhibition Beloved: Works from the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, brings together a selection of works representing over six centuries of art.  The exhibition and publication has been produced to celebrate the Gallery’s 125th anniversary. The masterpieces collected over this period have been acquired through the generosity and vision of inspired individuals, community organizations, academics, civic leaders, aesthetes, artists and arts professionals. 

Beloved sets out to be contemporary in its presentation of this rich and diverse collection. The collection is displayed against a vibrant set of colours and grouped according to a series of themes combined with an aesthetic sensibility. This curatorial approach seeks to highlight a rich cross-section of works, from the established favourites to recent acquisitions. Beloved is designed to be opulent in its treatment, while providing an insight into the way the Gallery’s collection has grown over time.

The Dunedin Public Art Gallery has one of the finest and most important collections of art in New Zealand.  Established for the pleasure and instruction of current and future generations, it is to be hoped that visitors to the Gallery today will discover and experience these qualities anew in the exhibition Beloved.