In 2023 Aotearoa lost one of its most beloved curators and supporters of contemporary photography, and Māori and Pacific art and artists, Ron Brownson.
When he died Brownson was Senior Curator New Zealand and Pacific Art at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. He had been at the gallery since becoming a research librarian there in 1978.
As well as curating some 50 exhibitions, it has now been revealed Brownson was a remarkable collector. That collection is about to be on offer through Cordy's auction house in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. So comprehensive it's being offered in 700 lots over three catalogues.
As might be expected there's a lot of New Zealand photography and art, but also ceramics dating back to the 13th century, rare textiles from Africa and the Middle East and, things that were physically even close to the collector: Gucci glasses, crocheted granny-square blankets and antique wristwatches.
Auction houses have been in rare health since Covid locked things down five years ago. And there are currently other large impressive private collections on offer - the Greg Moyle Collection with the International Art Centre closes next Thursday and the collection of Mal and Lizzie Brow closed last week at Art + Object.
The Ron Brownson collection auction's co-manager is Hamish Coney. An art writer, advisor and valuer, Coney was the founding Managing Director of Art + Object, where he worked for 12 years. He joins us on Culture 101.
