Webb's Works of Art

Every now and then an auction catalogue lands that immediately draws you in.

Webb’s forthcoming Works of Art sale, which includes pieces from the collection of the late Sir Miles Warren and Ōhinetahi, is one of those catalogues. Warren was not only one of New Zealand’s most influential architects, but clearly someone who collected with curiosity and conviction. The auction itself takes place Monday 30 March at 6.30pm in Auckland, with public viewings beforehand in Christchurch from 18–21 March, Wellington from 12–14 March, and Auckland from 25–29 March. It is well worth seeing the works in person if you can.

I should say at the outset that I am not an art critic. I simply enjoy art and the stories around it. Looking through the catalogue there are a few works that immediately caught my attention.

One is a Julian Dashper work. Dashper has always appealed to me for his clarity of thought. His paintings sit within the language of modernist abstraction but often carry a subtle wit. There is a rhythm to them, sometimes even a musical quality. They feel disciplined yet playful, and I have always admired artists who can balance those two instincts.

At the other end of the spectrum sits Tony Fomison. His work is intense and deeply human. Emerging from the Christchurch art scene in the 1970s and 80s, Fomison developed a style that feels raw and expressive. His paintings often contain figures or faces that seem to carry the weight of experience. They are not comfortable works, but they are powerful ones.

Another name that always commands attention is Frances Hodgkins. Hodgkins occupies a special place in New Zealand art history. Born in Dunedin, she spent much of her life working in Europe and became part of the British modernist movement. Her compositions feel incredibly sophisticated and even today they retain a freshness that many artists struggle to achieve.

And then there is Colin McCahon. Any time a McCahon appears in a catalogue it stops you for a moment. The work Floodgate is particularly compelling. McCahon’s paintings often feel less like pictures and more like statements or meditations. They sit somewhere between painting, philosophy and faith. You don’t simply look at a McCahon, you spend time with it.

What makes this group of works especially interesting is the Christchurch connection. Sir Miles Warren helped shape the architectural and cultural life of that city, and the collection reflects a distinctly New Zealand conversation between artists, architects and thinkers. That said, for me it is always important to support living artists and the galleries that represent them. Auctions allow us to revisit important works and collections from the past, but the vitality of the arts ultimately depends on supporting the people creating work today.

For those of us who simply enjoy seeing important works surface again, auctions like this offer a rare chance to revisit pieces that might otherwise remain hidden in private collections. And for anyone with an interest in New Zealand art, it is a catalogue well worth spending some time with.