Geographical Benefits

Gallery director Matt Nache talks to curator Reuben Friend about  life on the coast and the growing interest in culturally diverse art from New Zealand - IMG X Tom Teutenberg 

Since first opening its doors on the main street of the picturesque seaside township of Gisborne in 2009, Paul Nache Gallery has grown from a regional gallery into one of the major dealers of contemporary art in New Zealand. 

Paul Nache Gallery started off promoting local artists with a connection to the Tairawhiti (Poverty Bay) region but soon spread its reach nationally and in some cases internationally. How do you decide on which artists you represent? 

I always keep an eye out for artists who are forward thinking. But I’ll readily admit that innovation is a rear quality in a world where nothing is new. So often I’ll support artists who focus on doing one thing really well. People like Sanjay Theodore whose recent photographs of India could easily sit beside the likes of Ans Westra. 

Gisborne is a beautiful destination with a rich cultural history, however being located so far away from the main centres provides some challenges. How do you deal with the challenges of representation and promotion of high profile artists in a small community? 

Geographical boundaries don’t exist anymore. It’s a global market these days. We represent artists from all around the world. People who are fond of art can go directly to the dealer through the internet. Being situated away from the main centres also means that the gallery has lower over heads which in turn gives me more freedom to focus on working for the artists, and spending time with my family. 

You recently showed Sanjay Theodore’s striking ‘Magnitizm’ photographs of social changes occurring in Mumbai, India and prior to that Maori artist James Ormsby who is well known for his culturally and politically motivated paintings. How much value do you think New Zealanders place on art from migrant and indigenous communities here? 

New Zealand’s indigenous and migrant communities enrich the overall culture of this country. Artist like Sanjay and James educate us artistically and culturally, and I think New Zealand and other countries around the world are more readily embracing of these alternative worldviews as an extension of our own national heritage. From them we learn about our world and in return gain insight into ourselves. 

What advice would give to people looking to invest in contemporary art from New Zealand? 

In regards to buying artworks made by emerging artists, my advice would be to invest in an artist by supporting the galleries they show with. By buying their work directly from the dealer, the gallery gains confidence in the artist and the artist in return gains another chance to show their work. This way you get the double advantage of buying their work at an affordable price as well as helping to foster new talent.

AUCKLAND FAIR PROJECT 

For the Auckland Art Fair Paul Nache Gallery will be presenting works by New Zealand born, Los Vegas-based artist Matthew Couper. Couper’s works will be accompanied by a live performance by the artist as a ‘painting-monkey’, literally suited in a life-like monkey outfit while painting throughout the three day event. Making reference to artists such as Ronnie van Hout as a critique upon the commercial nature of the art-world, Couper’s performance will be accompanied by sales of his recent publication Thirty Three which features an essay about his works by author and anthropologist Dr Peter J Howland. 

ART COLLECTOR 2013 Special Edition, Page #37 Collecting/Dealer, SOURCE: http:www.artcollector.net.au/