19 Dec 2016

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A painting by renowned Dutch artist Jan van der Ploeg has been presented to Christchurch Art Gallery by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Gallery director and Dutch Ambassador with gifted artwork.

Christchurch Art Gallery director Jenny Harper and Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Rob Zaagman stand beside Jan van der Ploeg's Untitled.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Rob Zaagman presented the painting, Untitled, to the Gallery at a special gathering on Friday to mark the occasion of the recent state visit by King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima to New Zealand in November.

Christchurch Art Gallery director Jenny Harper says van der Ploeg’s work is a fitting gift to commemorate the Dutch royals’ visit to the city and for the reopened Gallery.

“It’s a very considerate gesture by the Embassy, and the Gallery receives it with great thanks on behalf of the city.

“Jan van der Ploeg has established many connections in New Zealand’s art world since first visiting here in the early nineties. He created a large wall work for Christchurch Art Gallery in 2008, and also in the foyer of Dunedin Public Art Gallery in 2010.

“The painting itself comes from van der Ploeg’s Warriors series, which is a reference to the Warriors rugby league team, to which he was introduced by the late Julian Daspher, one of New Zealand’s most well-known contemporary artists,” adds Harper.

Untitled is currently on display in the Gallery’s upstairs balcony area.