Works of three top artists added to UC's art collection

Three University of Canterbury (UC) fine artists have been selected to have their works included in UC’s large permanent art collection.

Students Lana Burtenshaw (sculpture), Rachael Dewhirst (painting) and Makoto Takuoko (film) have been selected by UC alumni and judge Linda Tyler, director of the Centre for New Zealand Art and Discovery in Auckland, as the best artists for 2012.

Dewhirst has just completed a 50 metres by six metre mural in the Re:Start Mall in the Christchurch city centre.

UC arts collection curator Lydia Baxendell said it was an honour for the three artists to have their works included in the second largest tertiary art collection in New Zealand which has 5000 art works.

The three artists each received $2000 and their works have become part of the UC art collection. The valuable UC collection includes works by famous New Zealand artists such as Rita Angus and Doris Lusk and, more recently, Neil Dawson and Tony de Lautour.

UC’s School of Fine Arts is the longest established art school in New Zealand having been established 130 years ago. Many previous graduates had gone on to establish themselves as high-calibre artists.

The best works produced this year are on display at the Select exhibition at the School of Fine Arts this week.