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7 hours ago
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2025 IHC Art Awards Winners Announced
Renee Derix from Hamilton has won the annual IHC Art Awards and a $5,000 prize with her mixed media piece Underwater. Renee created the work at the Grey Street Studio where she's been a regular alongside her sister for about 10 years. Tutor Maree Glass went round to her home to share the fantastic news. "She was absolutely delighted, says Maree. "It was wonderful to see their home filled with so much of their art work." Renee's piece sold at the opening night of the Art Awards. Second place and a $3,000 prize went to Amy Lewis for Angel for the People, a felted wool angel in a frame. Amy Hall took third place and $2,000 for Harriet: My Cat, a hand-sculpted ceramic vase which is a tribute to her beloved pet. The Holdsworth Charitable Trust Scholarship Award for art studios that support artists with intellectual disabilities went to Studio2 in South Dunedin. The studio won $5,000 with works from studio artists Krystal Hislop - Love, Leslie Wilson - Hands and Sheree Whaiapu - Wairoa Awa. Studio2 Art Manager and Art Facilitator Phoebe Ryder says they're rapt with the the win. "We were really excited about our artists' mahi this year and we're super grateful." While the decision is yet to be made, Phoebe hopes they will be able to spend the prize money supporting new in-studio projects. Honor Griffiths from Rolleston has won the Youth Award and $1,500 with her mixed media work Blue Purple Cool Yucky. Voting for the Forté Recruitment People's Choice Award opens on the IHC website today, closing at 5pm on August 10. All competition entries are on display at Webb's, 23 Marion St, Wellington until August 13. The judges this year were Tim Walker, Auckland-based arts and culture consultant; Mark Hutchins-Pond, Webb's Senior Art Specialist; Elizabeth Caldwell, Manager Arts, Culture and Heritage at Napier City Council; and Michel Tuffery, artist. About the IHC Art Awards The IHC Art Awards is an annual showcase of the talent and achievements of people with intellectual disabilities. Entries are open to New Zealanders aged 13 or over with an intellectual disability or an intellectual disability and autism. Introduced last year, the Holdsworth Charitable Trust sponsors a prize for art studios. The prize money can be used at the studio's discretion for materials, equipment or as a contribution towards additional tutor salaries. The awards are judged by a high-profile panel of New Zealanders, mostly artists or art professionals. $5,000 First Place Winner $3,000 Second Place Winner $2,000 Third Place Winner $1,500 Youth Award Winner $2,000 Forté Recruitment People's Choice Award $5,000 Holdsworth Trust Scholarship Award Studios can submit up to three artworks by different artists for the Holdsworth Trust Scholarship Award. The individual entries in the studio award are eligible to win first, second, third or the Forté Recruitment People's Choice award in the general competition. The judges selected the 30 finalists including the first, second, third and the Youth Award winners from all the entries received. Further information on the IHC Art Awards, including entry criteria, is available on the IHC website.
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16 hours ago
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New Zealand Portrait Gallery Appoints Brian Wood As Director
The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata is pleased to announce the appointment of curator, writer, arts collector, and marketer Brian Wood as its new Director, effective 18 August 2025. Wood succeeds outgoing Director Jaenine Parkinson, who has taken up the role of Head of Art at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He is no stranger to the Gallery, having served as Acting Director during Parkinson's parental leave in 2021. Chair of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Board, Dr. Alan Bollard, welcomed the appointment, saying: 'We are delighted to have Brian return to the Gallery. He made a strong impact during his time here and brings a rich and diverse skillset to the role. His background spans marketing, fundraising, curatorial work, public programmes and events. He has led teams of volunteers and managed a private art collection. These experiences, combined with his passion for portraiture, make him ideally suited to help the Gallery continue telling the stories of New Zealanders through art.' Reflecting on his return, Wood said he is thrilled to step back into the Gallery: It feels incredibly special to return—not just to a place I know and love, but to a role where I can help shape the Gallery's future. Stepping into this role feels like coming home, but with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. I had a fantastic experience in 2021 and achieved a lot during my time there. I'm looking forward to building on that momentum and continuing the strong exhibition programme. I deeply value the Gallery's role as a storyteller of Aotearoa's people.' Originally from the Kāpiti Coast, Wood has lived and worked in Wellington, London, Melbourne, Dunedin, Auckland, and now South Wairarapa. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Art at Otago Polytechnic and has held positions with The Dowse Art Museum, Te Omanga Hospice, Royal New Zealand Ballet, City Gallery Wellington, and Museums Wellington. 'Since finishing up my previous role with the Gallery, I've stayed closely connected to the arts and cultural sector—managing a performing arts company, serving as a trustee for an arts charity, reviewing funding applications, curating exhibitions, and even working in the wine industry. My time as Acting Director in 2021 was deeply meaningful—it strengthened my appreciation for the Gallery and its team. Returning now feels like both a continuation and a new beginning.' Looking ahead, Wood has ambitious plans to grow the Gallery's reach and impact: 'As we enter this next chapter, I want the Gallery to be a place where people see themselves reflected—not just in the portraits, but in our programming, exhibitions, and conversations. That means uplifting underrepresented voices, embracing diverse styles of portraiture, and nurturing emerging talent alongside our established artists. 'We're also exploring ways to increase accessibility and engagement—through digital platforms, regional outreach, education initiatives, touring exhibitions, and vibrant in-Gallery events. I want the Gallery to be a living, evolving space—one that not only reflects New Zealand's identity but helps shape, inspire, and challenge it.'
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19 hours ago
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Mānuka Phuel Synthony Festival To Return In March 2026
Press Release – Duco Touring Duco Touring has today announced the date for New Zealand's biggest one-day music event Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival, returning in 2026! The festival will take place on Saturday 21 March, 2026 and will return to Auckland Domain. The 2025 event had record-breaking attendance, with the headline act SYNTHONY performing to an impressive sold-out crowd of 40,000. The $1.8 million dollar production featured 2000 working personnel plus 316 artists and performers. Following a successful double-header event this weekend at Spark Arena, with 10,000 Kiwi's attending Mānuka Phuel FULL METAL ORCHESTRA and SYNTHONY ORIGINS, Duco Touring are excited to continue to bring high-quality experiences to New Zealanders year-round. Duco Touring Founder David Higgins commented: 'After a massive turnout in 2025, and an incredible atmosphere across this weekend's events, we knew we had to bring SYNTHONY Festival back to the Domain. In 2026, we're planning to scale up every aspect, from the stage production to the artist line-up. SYNTHONY Festival will continue to be a destination event for fans nationwide.' Described as 'an enduring success' and 'enjoyable for everyone' (NZ Herald) and 'a magical farewell to summer' (RNZ) following Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival 2025, punters can expect the same unparalleled festival experience, local and international artists, world-class immersive visuals, and some of the biggest dance tracks of all time reimagined. 'Following the roaring success of last year, we're proud to once again come on board as the headline sponsor for Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival 2026,' said Alex McDonald, Co-Creator of Mānuka Phuel. 'Our partnership with SYNTHONY across multiple events in 2025 has proved to be the perfect collision of energy, sound, and culture — and embodies everything Mānuka Phuel stands for. We're proud to return in 2025 to phuel what we believe is one of the most powerful and unmissable live music experiences Auckland has to offer.' Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's CE Nick Hill says: 'We're proud to support the return of Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival in 2026. Last year's event was a phenomenal success, drawing a record-breaking crowd and creating an unforgettable experience in the heart of Auckland. It's exactly the kind of world-class, homegrown event that showcases our region's energy, creativity and love of music. We're thrilled to invest in its future on behalf of Auckland Council and can't wait to see it light up the Domain once again.' The first, stellar line-up will be revealed in early August. Presale registration is open now, with presale and general on-sale mid August.
