The Venus Group Collection

6 April 2005

After 10 years of collecting contemporary New Zealand art, the Venus Group disbanded its collection through auction at Webb’s in April 2005.

The collective consisted of 15 woman, each of whom had contributed $1,000 a year, resulting in a collection of 36 works by a variety of artists including Shane Cotton, Saffron Te Ratana, Dorothy Helyer and Paul Dibble, to name but a few. more ...

Forthcoming auctions
31 JUL 12	Important Paintings & Contemporary Art

Judy Millar
Untitled Blue, Purple
Realised: $5,100 - April 2005 - View detail

Previous Sale Highlights:

Richard McWhannell
Sapho Banks
835 x 912mm
Realised: $11,000 - April 2005

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Paul Dibble
Standing Female Form
1700 x 530 x 270mm
Realised: $40,000

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Jude Rae
Glass
455mm x 455mm
Realised: $4,000 - April 2005

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Shane Cotton
Eoratonaana
740 x 300mm
Realised: $50,000

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Seraphine Pick
Still Life
398 x 347mm
Realised: $3,900

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John Pule
Tokaheloto
1250mm x 1800mm
Realised: $20,000 - April 2005

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Simon McIntyre
Cleft
1600 x 1250mm
Realised: $16,500

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Elizabeth Thompson
Alpine Grass
960 x 755mm
Realised: $7,500

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The Venus Group has functioned as much more than just an art buying group, with annual excursions to destinations as far afield as Dunedin and Wellington where members would visit public and private galleries, and artists’ studios as well as, of course, shop and dine out! The success of this collective seems at least partly due to the uniqueness of the make-up of the acquisition committee; composition of the committee would change annually with each member having a turn at spending the annual $15, 000 budget. In the 15 years of being together, the group saw only three members depart and such was its popularity that during many stages throughout its existence a waiting list existed.