News

Carla Russell: Inspiring a Nation for 20 Years

November 8, 2022

20 Years of Inspiring a Nation

To celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary, the NZ Art Show will introduce some of the significant people who help shape Aotearoa’s favourite art show in a series of monthly stories. Read their stories, view their art collection and find out about the artists in their collections.

When Carla Russell helped launch the NZ Art Show in 2004, little did she suspect that it would ignite a life-long passion for collecting New Zealand art.

20 years later Carla, with her husband Adam, has amassed an extensive art collection that graces their family home in Taranaki. This month they share some of their collection with you.

Most of the artists in their collection were acquired from the NZ Art Show. 
Artists in the image above, from left to right Tony Harrington, Taika Waititi and Esther Schuckard.
Image: One of two  Ben Timmins’ artworks owned by the couple. Ben was recipient of the $5,000 NZ Art Show Signature Piece Art Award three years in a row, 2011 to 2013.

‘The NZ Art Show gave me the courage to trust my instincts and not blindly follow trends – to collect art that I feel a strong connection with.’

Artworks on wall by Monica Patterson, Bella Foster, and Petra Steuben. Artworks on sideboard: Paul Maysek and Milarky


‘Over the years, our tastes have developed and now we have quite an eclectic collection.
I look at my artworks as a whole and  I see twenty years of me.’



‘I‘m mindful that I might be setting my kids up for a life of art-collecting. I hope so. I want art to bring them the same joy that it brings me.’

Carla and Adam with artworks by Donna Marie Patterson and Matt Davids
Image: Carla and Adam’s daughter Anahera beneath a Jordan Barnes painting, one of two artworks owned by the couple. Jordan was the recipient of the NZ Art Show  Grant in 2011. He received free use of a studio, mentoring and $15,000 which he used to go to New York where he met one of his art idols, Kiwi artist Max Gimblett.
Two artworks by Milarky, both purchased for sons Fin and Rio. The boys enjoy the concept of a contemporary nomad. Milarky’s work can be found in many art collections.
Above: Joel Hart is a show favourite – he has gained prominence for both his studio and mural work in NZ.
Above: Jacqui Elley – one of two lightboxes in Carla and Adam’s collection

Above: Lara Gilks – Beneath the Ice series
Above: Samuel O’Malley and Chad Bevan, Both artists are graduates from Massey University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Painting on paper by Cathy Tuato’o Ross – a finalist in the Parkin Prize – purchased for Adam and Carla’s daughter, Anahera.
Ceramic sculpture by Di Conway – a well-known Wellington clay expert who celebrates women
Painting by Monica Patterson: Carla owns two of Monica’s works – themes of strong female characters connecting to Polynesian roots
Wahine by Dean Proudfoot – one of the first large pieces Carla purchased at the NZ Art Show for her son: Fin
Vivian Jin – a finalist in the Emerging Artist Awards – a fine arts graduate from Elam School of Fine Arts who is known for her exploration of Korean politics.
Above: Dean Proudfoot – this is Carla’s favourite piece in their collection – purchased for their son – Rio
Tony Harrington: Tiki – Carla and Adam own 3 works by Tony Harrington
Daron Parton, an illustrator who graduated from Central St Martins in London – has worked with GQ, Tatler, Esquire, Wall Street Journal just to name a few – NZ is now his home.
 
Paul Maysek: Has a Diploma in Ceramic Design and Production. He is represented in numerous public collections within New Zealand including Te Papa Tongarewa and The Dowse Art Museum. 

‘The NZ Art Show is a place where you can find your art – there is so much to see, so much to love and so much to talk about – a place to discover, to connect and an art collectors delight’.

ARTISTS IN CARLA AND ADAM’S COLLECTION

Over the next weeks we’ll profile some of these artists

Antonia Mahoney
Bella Foster
Ben Reid
Ben Timmins
Bruce Stilwell
Bruce Winter
Catherine Roberts
Chad Bevan
Clare Kim
Daniel Campion
Daron Parton
Dean Proudfoot
Di Conway
Donna-Marie Patterson
Esther Schuckard
Fleur Woods
Grant Finch
Hannah Lawn

Holly Thomas
Fleur Woods
Grant Finch
Hannah Lawn
Holly Thomas
Jacqui Elley
Jamie Mackman
Jane Denton
JL McGregor
Joel Hart
John Shewry
Jonathan Kay
Jordan Barnes
Jos Coufreur
Lara Gilks
Lynne Sandri
Marina De Wit
Matt Davidson

Max Scott-Murray
Mia Hamilton
Michael Lamb
Milarky
Minu
Monica Patterson
Petra Steuben
Paul Maysek
Rika Nagahata
roOm
Sam Broad
Samuel O’Malley
Sharon Schwalger
Sue Lund
Taika Waititi
Tony Harrington
Vivian Jin
Ngahina Hohaia

2023 marks the show’s 20th anniversary. Come celebrate with Carla.
200 of New Zealand’s finest emerging artists will showcase new work created especially for the show.

We have a special on show day tickets up till Christmas. Only $5 each. (Standard online price is $10 and price on the door is $15.

COME TO THE SHOW

2023 marks the show’s 20th anniversary. Come celebrate with Carla.
200 of New Zealand’s finest emerging artists will showcase new work created especially for the show.
We have a special on show day tickets up till Christmas. Only $5 each. (Standard online price is $10 and price on the door is $15.

BUY TICKETS NOW

PARTY WITH US AT THE GALA

Secure your tickets to the Gala Evening and enjoy the added bonus of attending the VIP Preview.
The Gala Evening is art’s biggest night out with delicious canapés,
fine wine, great beer, live music and all art for sale
At the VIP Preview be the first to meet the artists and buy art.

BECOME A FRIEND AND JOIN US AT THE GALA


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