Nadene Milne Gallery launches The Beauty and Brutality of Fact: Damien Hirst and Max Gimblett on October 19.
The exhibition boasts 15 prints from The Dead (2009) and 15 prints from The Souls (2010) by Hirst, plus a selection of fine gold and silver quatrefoils and limited edition works by New York-based New Zealander Max Gimblett.
Gallery owner Nadene Milne said this week The Dead and The Souls "envelop some of Hirst's well-known concerns - death and life, and beauty and desire".
"In The Souls butterflies, as symbols for both the beauty of life and its impermanence, become metaphors for faith and death, while the skull imagery in The Dead make overt reference to mortality."
Ms Milne said Hirst and Gimblett attracted admirers and detractors in equal measure because of their success.
Southern Lakes residents will have the chance to make up their own minds when the gallery screens the documentary Damien Hirst, Thoughts, Work, Life next door in Dorothy Brown's Cinema on October 19 at 7pm, before the exhibition launch at 8pm.
Patrons should call the cinema to reserve seats as space is limited. Admission is $8 per person.
Today
7pm: Queenstown singer-guitarist Brian John Foder plays jazz and blues favourites at the Friday Jazz Club in Les Alpes. Free.
8pm: Dorothy Brown's cinema turns on the glamour for a special girls' night out to benefit the Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon street appeal. Welcome drinks and canapes are served by Wanaka caterers Flying Trestles at 8pm, then Wakatipu wonders the Sequin Sisters sing party anthems at 8.15pm. The film The Sapphires is screened at 8.30pm. Tickets $25 from the Arrowtown cinema on (03) 442-1964.
Saturday
9pm: Queenstown covers and originals trio the Collaboration, featuring Sarah Foley on vocals, entertain in Dux de Lux. Free.
Thursday
3.30pm: Prime Minister John Key is expected to officially open the more than 100km-long Queenstown Trail at the Southern Discoveries Bridge, Arrowtown. New Zealand Cycleway Ambassador Sarah Ulmer leads in young cyclists and entertainment will be provided by the Sequin Sisters and others. Free.
5pm and 7.30pm: The Queenstown Film Society and the New Zealand Film Archive present 10 historical clips and short films depicting people and places in the Wakatipu in the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall. Queenstown pianist Cheryl Collie accompanies all the silent films. Free.
