Symbolic whales painting artist's gift to Tauranga

A painting representing local Maori legend has been gifted to Tauranga City Council.

Tauranga artist Bryce Brown's piece, Mangatawa, represents the Maori tale of three whales. Mr Brown gave the work to the council for its Civic Art Collection.

"It's so located here so it's very appropriate that it stay here," Mr Brown said. "Nearly every school in the Bay of Plenty studies the three whales. It's nice for the work to start off, and stay, in the right place."

The whales symbolise the three hills of Welcome Bay. The work was completed last year and selected as one of 40 by local artists to be shown during the Miles Art Award exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery.

The work will be installed in the New Zealand Room in the central library, where it will be on show for at least six months. Gallery director Penelope Jackson said Mr Brown felt it should have a public presence.

"Bryce's work is a very welcome addition to the Civic Collection and we are lucky to have such a philanthropic artist in our community."

The Tauranga Art Gallery cares for the Tauranga City Council Civic Art Collection.