Lindauer paintings with Rotorua link

SUPPORT: Frank Grapl, Eru Haimona and Tuhi Grapl were at the exhbition opening on behalf of kapa haka group Whakaari Rotorua. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

There is a local link to a new exhibition on show at the Auckland Art Gallery.

The Maori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer's New Zealand exhibition shows more than 120 of Lindauer's portraits.

Pihopa (Bishop) Kingi is the guardian of two Lindauer portraits - of Ngati Whakaue chief Petera Tukino Te Pukuatua and his wife, Te Winia Te Pukuatua - which he has gifted on loan to the Auckland Art Gallery to be part of the historical exhibition.

Mr Kingi said the portraits were displayed at his family home for years after his mother was given guardianship of them. After her death he became the executor of her estate.

The two portraits had until now hung in the Rotorua Museum, and Mr Kingi said that was where he would like them to return after the exhibition closed.

Czech Lindauer (1839-1926) migrated to New Zealand in 1874 and became one of the most prolific and best-known painters of Maori subjects, in particular portraits, in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Kapa haka group Whakaari Rotorua leader and director Frank Grapl said he understood exhibition portraits were a combination of works from private collectors, the Auckland Art Gallery's collection, some from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and others from the Czech Republic.

Both Mr Kingi and Mr Grapl attended the official welcome dawn ceremony held two days before the exhibition was opened to the public on October 24.

Mr Kingi said it was magnificent to be part of the dawn ceremony.

"It comprised of families and contacts of those associated with the paintings. It was an emotional ceremony due to the history and stories behind each painting."

Mr Grapl said he thought around 300 to 400 people attended. The group were able to then look at the portraits in the exhibition gallery.

Mr Grapl said he was invited to attend as his family knew members of the Lindauer family and his group had performed at the closing ceremony of the Lindauer exhibition in Plzen, Czech Republic, last year.

Lindauer's great-grandson Michael Grant spoke and sang at the ceremony, including singing the Czech National Anthem.

Mr Grapl encouraged locals to see the free exhibition if they were able to.

The exhibition runs until February 19, 2017, and was curated by Ngahiraka Mason and Nigel Borell.