Gallery Talk – Saturday 26 November 2022, 4-6pm at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery.

Hamish Keith is perhaps best known as a writer on art — especially An Introduction to New Zealand Painting, the 1969 book he wrote with Gordon H Brown, which sparked much debate over its emphasis on the “harsh clarity of New Zealand light”. Keith's long and influential career boasts many notable achievements; as a broadcaster, scriptwriter, graphic designer, arts administrator, and commentator on — and advocate for — the unique culture of Aotearoa. Hamish Keith was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 1981.

He was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013. His life’s work has been dedicated to the notion of a unique and original culture in Aotearoa. He has worked tirelessly as an arts administrator with a reformist’s zeal, committed to the recognition of Māori art as a living, vital force. He has been a broadcaster of originality and passion who has made his own unique contribution to local television.

Except from profile written by Paul Judge, published on 21 May 2020

The Kurt Von Meier collection is a unique account of the beginnings of contemporary New Zealand art, specifically focusing on early creative innovations in 1960's New Zealand. Dr. Von Meier, an American citizen, accepted a posting as a Senior Lecturer in Art History at Elam School of Fine Arts from 1960 - 1963. During that time he assembled a collection of paintings and works on paper from his students colleagues and their Auckland creative peers. prominent among these work are fine examples of Pat Hanly, Robert Ellis, Michael Illingworth, Pauline Thompson and Gretchen Albrecht.