Departing art director seeks change

Tauranga Art Gallery director Penelope Jackson has resigned. Photo / File

Tauranga Art Gallery director Penelope Jackson has resigned after five years in the role.

Ms Jackson could not be reached for comment last night, but in a statement released yesterday afternoon she said she was looking at other opportunities and already had one project underway.

Gallery media co-ordinator Katherine Hoby said Ms Jackson would not comment further on the resignation at this stage.

Ms Jackson will finish at the gallery in late January.

"After 11 years at Tauranga Art Gallery - five of those as director - it's time to take time out and have a change, and to enjoy a break," Ms Jackson said in her statement. "I leave the gallery in good heart, and with many great memories.

"We have an outstanding line-up of exhibitions both current and upcoming - three of our past exhibitions are now touring, which is wonderful for a gallery our size - a full programme of events including music, artist and expert talks and theatre, and a fantastic schools education programme. As well as this we have an exceptional team at the gallery."

Ms Jackson oversaw many exhibitions, the most memorable included the award-winning Corrugations: the art of Jeff Thomson, and Lynley Dodd: A Retrospective, the statement said. Both were now touring, with the Lynley Dodd exhibition in Australia.

Corrugations: the art of Jeff Thomson was named best exhibition under $20,000 at the New Zealand Museum Awards in April this year. It was created and curated by Ms Jackson in conjunction with the artist. The accompanying book, co-written by Ms Jackson and Robin Woodward, is in its second printing, the statement said.

Exhibitions of work from artists the gallery collects - Nigel Brown, Edward Bullmore and Dame Robin White - had also been highlights.

Ms Jackson initiated some major exhibitions for the gallery, including the upcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year from London's Natural History Museum, the statement said.

Chairwoman of Tauranga Art Gallery Trust Phillida Perry said the quality of exhibitions the gallery had delivered and the recognition achieved during Ms Jackson's time as director was a testament to her success.