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Ngā mihi

It may be midwinter but the Friends of Te Papa programme can help you feel warm and cheerful. Have you joined a Friends local gallery tour lately? Our gallery visits are a fantastic way to meet artists and gain insight into their art practice. Their talks really make the works come alive. Meeting Matt Hunt and Anton Parsons on our recent Cuba Street tour was memorable.

Te Papa’s strong association with New Zealand artists who have exhibited at the Venice Biennale continues with the opening next month of an exhibition by the 2015 artist Simon Denny. Other Venice Biennale works exhibited at Te Papa include Bill Culbert (2013), Michael Parekowhai (2011) and Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard (2009). It is not often we have the opportunity to see other international Venice Biennale exhibitions so our trip to the Dowse Art Museum to view the work of Liu Jianhua, one of China’s leading contemporary artists was very special. This exhibition closes on 10 July.

An important part of the Friends’ support of Te Papa is our gifting programme. We are very excited that this year’s project is towards the restoration of the panoramic French wallpaper panels, Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique, printed in 1804-05 by Joseph Dufour. You can view Dr Rebecca Rice being interviewed about these beautiful works on TV One and read more about them here.

To raise funds towards this project, the Friends are hosting a special gala evening in the Scots College Creative and Performing Arts Centre on Friday 29 July . We will view the Aloysius and Eileen Teh Art Collection while enjoying Scottish-themed canapés and mulled wine along with music by talented Scots College pupils. In addition, there will be an exciting silent auction with a wide range of prizes.

Please do give this special event and project your generous support.

Noho ora mai

Nā Elizabeth Kay