Black focus for Gallery exhibition

Seventeen New Zealand artists have made the cut for Tauranga Art Gallery's All Black exhibition, which kicks off tomorrow.

"As the country revels in rugby mania it is refreshing to think about what is considered our national colour - black - in a different context," Penelope Jackson, Tauranga Art Gallery director, said.

Those selected are Shane Cotton, Ralph Hotere, Alex Bartleet, Ben Cauchi, Sean McDonnell, Anne Noble, Tony Fomison, Peter Robinson, Gordon Walters, Dame Robin White, Mladen Bizumic, Philip Clairmont, Arie Hellendoorn, Dennis Knight Turner, Peter Peryer and Nigel Brown.

Also included is Edward Bullmore, one of New Zealand's earliest surrealists who played representative rugby for Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Auckland. Anne Noble & McNamara Gallery, Whanganui, The University of Auckland Art Collection and The James Wallace Arts Trust, have loaned the works to the gallery.

All Black - an exhibition highlighting the use of black and blackness in New Zealand art - runs from tomorrow until October 16 , from 10am to 4.30pm.

Admission by donation. For more information go to www.artgallery.org.nz or phone (07) 578 7933.