Rare art collection goes to auction

‘The Judgement of the Council’ by Raymond Ching, one of three works which forms part of the Koula Collection that will be auctioned off at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre on April 3. Supplied images.

Tauranga collector Koula Vellinga's private collection of New Zealand art will soon be going under the hammer.

The Koula Collection, one of the most varied and comprehensive private collections of New Zealand art, will be auctioned off at Tauranga's Baycourt Community and Art Centre on April 3.

The comprehensive collection features predominantly New Zealand artwork from the 19th to 21st century plus some European works, and in total 109 paintings will be up for sale.

Among the pieces to be sold are a number of paintings by Bay of Plenty artist Arthur Dagley, whose work previously sold out when 101 of his paintings were offered at auction in 2013.

Auction organiser and Fine Art Society director Grant Bezett says this is the most significant collection from a single owner to ever be auctioned in the Bay.

Tauranga art collector Koula Vellinga.

'Koula Vellinga was a strong and committed supporter of young artists, particularly in the local area, which resulted in her buying paintings over many years.

'The sale of this collection offers a rare opportunity to purchase work from artists that in some cases are very well known, while there are also quality works by lesser known artists.”

Three paintings by Raymond Ching and one by Peter McIntyre in the collection will also be auctioned.

Grant believes Kiwis are increasingly looking to connect with the identity of the country through buying art that is 'relevant and fits with who we are”.

Some of the paintings are likely to sell for a few hundred dollars, while the more sort after lots will reach several thousand dollars, he adds.

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