“It is an honour to once again be entrusted with bringing Dr Richards’ exquisite pieces to market, ensuring they find new custodians who will enjoy them as much as he has.”
Born in Gisborne, Professor Richards sponsored many local arts activities, including the annual concert series held in the Tairāwhiti Museum, Gisborne International Music Competition and a series of house concerts at Tiromoana, which finished last year ahead of the sale of his Gisborne summer residence.
The Jack C Richards Gallery at the museum still holds his name but is closed after he withdrew permission for his own art collection to be displayed last year.
An interview with Dr Richards published on Webb’s website revealed the reasons for auctioning off the collection.
“Some years ago, to share my collection with the wider public, I funded the addition of a gallery to the Tairāwhiti Museum in Gisborne, which attracted the interest of many art lovers both locally and nationally. Recently, however, the museum felt that the space could be better used to showcase art with a more local connection. Instead of placing my collection in long-term storage, it seemed sensible to allow others to have the opportunity to own some of the items from it, hence the current series of auctions.”
