The Wallace Arts Trust holds in its Collection a survey of works spanning the careers of many prominent New Zealand artists. First Impressions is an exhibition designed to show visitors the earliest works purchased by James Wallace from a number of artists he has continued to collect. These works represent both the subjective tastes of a collector and the astute eye gained from years of participation in, and patronage of the visual art scene; they all have in common the fact that they made good ‘first impressions’.

First Impressions contains an interesting personal angle: information about the artwork and the artists’ early careers, provided by the artists, is presented alongside many of the works. The exhibition also contains the first work ever purchased by James Wallace, and a work by Nigel Brown that has never been shown to the public.

As part of the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre’s first anniversary celebrations, Richard Killeen and Denys Watkins will give artist talks on Sunday 14 August.

   Artists

Toss Woollaston

Many artists are not represented in this exhibition for various reasons, principally because they have already been shown, or are being put aside for specific shows in the future at The Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre.