18 November 2011 Renowned artists works donated at the Lincoln University Art Collection

Works from renowned local artists - including Susan Chaytor, Cheryl Lucas, June Hay and John Parker - have been added to the Art Collection at Lincoln University.

The University - like many others - has a boutique collection of art works gathered over the years through purchases, donations and long-term loans.  Prominent members of the art world as well as other invited guests, attended a function on Thursday 17 November 2011 to officially receive the new works into the Collection. 

The Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand has lent three works to the University on long-term loan.  These are 'Beech' by Jenny Simpson - a three-dimension foliage impression made using only wool fibres; 'Hill Country Sheep Scene' by Don McAra - a vibrant painting depicting New Zealand's scenic back country; and a large, wall-hanging tapestry produced by the Flemish Carpet Industry.

June Hay gifted 'Relict Hill Totara', totara stumps rescued from Banks Peninsula hills which serve as a reminder of forests now long-gone.  Cheryl Lucas' 'Jug-skin Fence' is a ceramic-on-wire take on rabbit skins over the fences in Central Otago during the artist's childhood.  This work has been located outside the Landscape Architecture Building on the University campus along with June Hay's piece.

On long-term loan to the Collection is Susan Chaytor's 'Still Life 1987', an outstanding example of Susan's still life series from the 1980s.

In memory of David Wilkie - a Lincoln University alumnus, innovator and soil conservator - his daughter Gill Ross has donated John Parker's oil painting 'Plain Song, Duality for Colour Gold'.

“It is very pleasing for the University to receive pieces from such distinguished artists to add to our collection,” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Field.  “Over recent times the collection has not grown as rapidly as it did in the early days as financial prudence has meant we haven’t been purchasing art works.  This doesn’t mean the collection isn’t an important part of who we are as an institution and we are very grateful for the generosity of the art world that we have been gifted or lent such fine works”.

The collection is used for educational purposes as well as to enrich the learning environment on campus.