Building youngsters' appreciation of art

COLLECTION: The special prints come at special prices for discerning art fans. Photo/file

Imagine sending your child into a room to pick an artwork - without your help, and without you even seeing it or being able to influence what they choose.

Muka Youth Prints is coming back to Tauranga this month, and the project is based around the concept that the best way to get young people acquainted with contemporary art is to get real works of art into their hands.

Normally, the cost of an artwork is a stumbling block for young people. Art is considered to be something very serious, and often that means very expensive. But Muka offers a solution. A number of well-known artists from all over the world have been invited to produce a set of small lithographs. The works are 100x200mm in size. They have been brought together in the Muka Youth Prints exhibition, from which adults are barred. Each lithograph in the 40-piece collection is priced at $67 to attract young buyers. Visitors are allowed to enter the two-hour show only once, and can buy a maximum of three lithographs.

"The work reflect the normal style and concern of the artists," explains the Gallery's marketing and media co-ordinator Martine Rolls. "There is no patronising or talking down to children in any way," she says.

"The names of well-known artists are covered so the prints are chosen by their appeal. Muka wants young art collectors to look at the work itself, not considering the fame of the artist or potential for financial gain," Martine says.

"It's the 29th collection of the youth print project, which was started by Magda van Gils of Muka Studio in Auckland in 1987," explains Frans Beatens, project co-ordinator at the Muka Gallery.

The Muka Youth Print project was initially intended as a one off, but it has become an iconic feature of New Zealand culture and life.

"It will be our 30th anniversary next year," Frans says.

Since the beginning, about 50,000 original works have been bought by Kiwi kids and teens, who have taken the opportunity to start a fine art collection.

The collection holds 40 original lithographs only, and all works are sold at a uniform low price, set according to specific costs in every country. In New Zealand, the cost is $67 (unframed). Special Muka frames can be ordered for $70 each.