One of the country’s most prominent art patrons, James Wallace began collecting New Zealand artists’ works in the 1960s. In 1992, the growing body of work was transferred to a charitable trust, the Wallace Arts Trust, which now has 4500 works and continues to support artists through patronage and promotion.
James says his collection is born of the belief that supporting the arts is fundamental to existence.
"To live without art is to miss out on a vital dimension of life, to not have one of the senses. It is like cows who are so busy grazing they don’t look up to see or react to a sunrise."
Other organisations with art on loan from the Wallace Arts Trust include the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, Middlemore Hospital, Radio NZ and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
"We have found that there is a tremendously positive response to the permanent revolving loans we have made to some 20 institutions," he says.
Trust curator Julian Harrison says business creativity and artistic creativity are not so different and the loan to AUT’s Business building is a perfect fit.
"Business and arts are increasingly having more to do with each other. It is now usual for business foyers to feature prominent art works. This is an exceptional space to exhibit art. The building design allows for art to be seen through exterior walls on multiple levels."
Dean of Business, Professor Des Graydon says with 1200 people in the building at any time the works will have maximum exposure.
"Being surrounded by art will open students up to new ideas and different ways of seeing. These are things that best prepare them for the demands of professional work in business."
Among the works on show in AUT’s Business school are five works by prominent New Zealand artist Philip Trusttum and New Zealand landscape painter Toss Wollaston’s work Mt. Arthur.
