Art patron reluctant but 'blown away'

Art patron Jenny Gibbs will be awarded Auckland City's second Distinguished Citizen Award - Sir Edmund Hillary got the first last April - at a council meeting tonight. The citation describes her as a "leading philanthropist, art patron and collector" who uses her influence to help Auckland Art Gallery and raise the profile of New Zealand art.

The Herald asked her for her thoughts on art and Auckland.

Q. What does this award mean to you?

A. It's a huge honour and I was both blown away and embarrassed ... I have accepted it, somewhat reluctantly. I'm really accepting it on the basis that the city is using this to acknowledge the role of the arts and culture in the life of the city.

This city in the past hasn't necessarily been ready to acknowledge the role of the arts and culture. You're not a city, really, until you've got a vibrant arts and cultural life. It's not just a matter of attracting visitors, it's about keeping your own people.

Q. You founded the New Gallery. Has it worked out?

A. It's helped the Auckland Art Gallery deliver much more contemporary art - it's always been short of exhibition space, so this has contributed to what's dedicated to contemporary art.

Q. The Auckland Art Gallery needs major structural work that could include additional exhibition space. What would you like done?

A. I'm delighted that the city has committed to some expanded space for the gallery - they're doing what I'd like to be done. Auckland's got a fantastic collection and we don't get to see all that much of it. There's an awful lot off-site in storage.

Q. Does Auckland get its fair share of national arts funding?

A. No. I guess it's because the politicians are in Wellington and most of the national arts bodies are based in Wellington, like the ballet, the symphony orchestra and Te Papa. The only national arts body based here is the opera company. I don't think Auckland arts organisations get their fair share of regional funding either - Auckland City and its ratepayers bear an unfair burden. Everybody from the North Shore and Waitakere and Manukau get to see the Auckland Art Gallery, come to the Auckland Philharmonia and the Auckland Theatre Company, and their councils pay nothing - or almost nothing.

Q. What is your favourite public art work in Auckland?

A. The George Rickey moving sculpture, Double L Gyratory (outside the Auckland Art Gallery).

Q. Who, among the emerging artists in Auckland, impresses you?

A. I'm not going to name specific artists because I've had people ring me and say, "Who should I invest in now?" or even ask my friends, "Who's Jenny Gibbs collecting now?" and I'm horrified at that. But if I were a young collector today I'd probably collect photography.