Trying to buy Stevens painting

Public support is being sought to buy a painting which is more important for what is on the back than the front, the man heading the campaign says.

Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery general manager Maurice Watson said the museum was trying to buy a 1970s Elizabeth Stevens work, Differing Realities.

The painting exhibited some of the trademark techniques of Stevens, who was one of Central Otago's most significant artists, Mr Watson said. She died in 2009.

But it was made even more valuable by having a letter on the back from Stevens, who wrote about ''how she sees the world and how she is trying to paint''.

In the letter, Stevens said the painting ''expresses perfectly the feeling I have about 'space', and the way I have of trying to achieve it in my work. The image of being 'visually surrounded by an imaginary 3-dimensional world' is probably the most important aspect of my painting.''

Central Stories was trying to raise $3000 to buy, transport, insure and conserve the painting, and those considering donating were reminded that ''whether you like the painting or not is not the issue'', Mr Watson said.

''This is an extraordinary work with attached letters that allow us inside the mind of a working artist. It tells us about the process of what she is trying to communicate through her paintings. It is a very important painting because of the numerous stories it tells.''

Central Stories is working with Stevens' family and seeking other artworks for an exhibition of her work planned later this year.

The painting Differing Realities was being held by a dealer for only a couple of weeks and people considering making pledges of financial support were encouraged to do so as soon as possible, Mr Watson said.

-Contact Maurice Watson on 027 555 1909.

pam.jones@odt.co.nz