A number of significant collections are owned and cared for by the Eastern Southland Gallery on behalf of the community.

 

Of international importance is the John Money Collection, gifted to the Gallery in 2003, by Baltimore based expatriate New Zealand academic Dr John Money. Amassed over a 50 year period, the collection features a large body of New Zealand, Australian, African and American works of art. Key items include paintings by Rita Angus and Theo Schoon (New Zealand), Lowell Nesbitt (USA), Bambarra, Dogon and Baga carvings from West Africa, and paintings and carvings from Elcho Island (Australia).

 

Occupying a special place in the Gallery’s holdings is the Ralph Hotere Collection, featuring graphic works and paintings by major
New Zealand contemporary artist Ralph Hotere. With one of the largest Hotere collections in the country, the Gallery offers a programme
of rotational exhibitions.

 

The Gallery is also responsible for the development and care of the district art collections which focus on early New Zealand, Southland and contemporary New Zealand artists.