Rare display for Auckland Art Gallery re-opening

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RESTORED: The newly refurbished areas of the historic Auckland Art Gallery were returned to the care of its staff today after three years with Hawkins Construction.

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When the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki re-opens in 68 days, the new-look building will exhibit a rare collection of modern art gifted to the people of Auckland.

The newly refurbished areas of the historic gallery were returned to the care of its staff today after three years with Hawkins Construction. 

And when the gallery opens on September 3, the complete Robertson Promised Gift will be on display for eight weeks.

Announced in 2009, the gift from New York art collectors Julian and Josie Robertson is the largest ever made to an Australasian art gallery.

Its 15 works represent some of the major European artists of the modern era including paintings by Matisse, Picasso and Dali.

Auckland Art Gallery director Chris Saines said this will be a rare chance for Kiwi art lovers to see the historic works.

"This will be the first and only occasion the Robertson gift will be seen in Auckland, in its entirety, until such time as the 15 works are finally settled on the Gallery under the terms of the deed of promised gift."

Today, the historic 1887 Wellesley and Kitchener St building and the 1916 East gallery were the first spaces returned in a phased handover ahead of the official opening in September.

The three year construction period has included one million man hours to increase the exhibition space by 50 per cent and, when completed, the cost of the refurbishment will come in close to $121 million.

Chairman of Regional Facilities Auckland Sir Don McKinnon says the refurbishment is a key moment in the building's history.

"This really is a major milestone in the Gallery's development project.

"I believe Auckland will be very, very proud of what we have here."

Saines said keeping the historic aspects of the building was crucial.

"We've gone for broke with this building to try and put heritage back into it in its authentic manner."

The Auckland Art Gallery opens on September 3.  The Robertson collection will be displayed in the renamed "Julian and Josie Robertson Galleries", formally known as the Kitchener galleries, from September 3 until October 30.