‘Huge’ for artists to know their work is being bought

Oamaru artists Christopher Wright (left) and Todd Rawson (right) with IHC national patron Dame...
Oamaru artists Christopher Wright (left) and Todd Rawson (right) with IHC national patron Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet in front of artwork, including their own, to go to the National Art Awards in Wellington. PHOTO: JULES CHIN
Art lovers were in full force at the North Otago IHC Association art exhibition at The Loan & Merc on Friday.

IHC Art Awards ambassador and IHC New Zealand patron Dame L’Estrange-Corbet was present.

"The show has grown. It’s lovely to be here in Oamaru and seeing all the local artists," she said.

"Every corporate office in New Zealand should have IHC art in their office spaces.

"It’s great seeing their faces when someone purchases their work. It’s a great honour.

"It’s huge for them to know someone is going to take their artwork home and put it on their wall."

Attendees penned their names to silent auction lists, including Judith Jones, who was the successful bidder on a popular portrait of a woman, by Oamaru artist Christopher Wright.

Dame Denise said she already owned other artworks by Wright, who had "a big following".

IHC art show event manager Danette Wilson said all the money from the Oamaru auction would go to the artists.

Money raised from a commissioned artwork by Maree White was being donated to North Otago Special Olympics.