There’s a lot of hurt feelings surrounding the Auckland Art Fair which wants to be International and so has invited 9 Australian galleries to exhibit at the cost of some local dealers, according to the New Zealand Herald:
But several local galleries are miffed that they have been denied entry. The art fair, run by the New Zealand Contemporary Art Trust, is expected to attract about 12,000 people to the Viaduct Events Centre over four days. It will feature 41 galleries.
Kieran Smyth, owner of Auckland’s Smyth Galleries, desperately wants to be there, but he is on the reject list and doesn’t know why. “I swotted up on what was required and lobbied hard,” he says. “My heart was set on it. But it’s all very political and the most elitist and snobby world I’ve ever found.” Smyth says the Aussies should not be allowed to muscle in on Kiwi territory.
Show Lockout Spawns Art Spat (New Zealand Herald)
