‘Impressionism' is his favourite art period, he thinks English illustrator Patrick Woodroffe 'is amazing”, and he really admires the work of John Blackburn, recently exhibited here in Tauranga.

This is just a very small insight into Mark Truffit; the recently appointed interim manager of the Tauranga Art Gallery.

New Tauranga Art Gallery exhibition designer and interim manager Mark Truffit. Photo: Supplied.

Hired originally as the gallery's exhibition designer, he took on the interim role following former director Penelope Jackson's resignation.

'I can't stress enough the great job Penelope did,” says Mark. 'From a curatorial view I think she's exceptional and she led the team remarkably.

'The role I have taken on is a little bit of ‘problem solving' and keeping everything running; I quite like that as I'm a can-do person who like challenges.

'I think there's lots of potential out there that we can offer - it's an opportunity for a fresh look at what the gallery gives back to the ratepayers of Tauranga.”

Hailing from Catherham, England, Mark holds a degree in graphic design and illustration and enjoyed a career in sales, promotion and advertising, before shifting to New Zealand in 1994 with his family.

Since then he's held various positions, such as exhibition and graphic production manager at Wellington's Te Papa Museum.

During this role he worked on a number of high-profile exhibitions including Whales/Tohoraa, one of the biggest world touring displays at the moment, and the Rita Angus exhibition.

Mark was also exhibition project manager at the Auckland War Museum - a position he held for roughly four years before he and his family moved to Tauranga.

Over this time he oversaw a number of popular exhibitions, such as the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year', which will be on display at the Tauranga Art Gallery later this year.

'This exhibition will be very exciting for the gallery and will be very well visited,” says Mark. 'It's also an opportunity for Tauranga to view a renowned, international touring exhibition and it's free.

'That's the important thing; galleries around the world will charge for this exhibition but Penelope and the team worked hard with the Natural History Museum to bring it here and offer it for free.”

While still finding his feet, Mark is very impressed by the quality of the gallery and the art it houses.

'The current and past exhibitions are very worthy of hanging on the walls,” he adds. 'The level of art shown here is great for a small gallery that punches well above its weight.

'My goals for the gallery will develop as I develop in my role, but really I am a team player; it's not all about me, it's about what the team wants to achieve. Everyone is as important as everyone else.

'I am also really visitor-focussed and I think there are opportunities here to exhibit art that will attract people we don't normally see.”