Artist's friend - 'because I buy art'

The woman behind an exhibition at the Feilding Art Centre this week says she can't even draw a stick figure.

The works on display are from Jo Sandilands' collection of New Zealand art which started when she was given eight of her great aunt's works.

Gouendoleyne Bailey (nee Sandilands) was a prolific painter but because it was deemed not suitable for a married woman to paint, she turned her talents to poetry after her marriage.

Eight years ago, Ms Sandilands received some of these paintings, dated between 1904-1910.

"Most of these were of local scenes and a few European scenes which may have been copies of other artists' works," she said.

Ms Sandilands started looking for other early New Zealand paintings and moved on to any works by New Zealand artists.

"My collection is a mix of old and new works of no particular style or medium.

"It cuts across all styles of paintings, with the occasional tapestry."

She buys works at auctions and antique shops and some are by inmates of Manawatu Prison.

As her collection has grown she has had to sell some to make more space. Ms Sandilands said she only buys works she likes, never for the name of the artist.

"Sometimes I have been lucky and a painting I have liked and bought has turned out to be by a recognised artist.

"All of the 'keepers' have undergone conservation restoration and reframing so future generations will hopefully enjoy them too. I can't paint but I am the artist's friend, because I buy art."

She bought a set of three works on Trade Me.

They were unframed and unsigned and she has been told the charcoal and gouache drawings were probably done early last century for a book illustration.

The paper has age marks but removing them would have spoilt the gouache which is opaque watercolour paint bound with glue. The muscling on the Maori warriors is more reminiscent of a modern style.

"My husband does not like these so they are hung in a dark alcove," Ms Sandilands said.

"We have some wonderful New Zealand artists who are under-valued and I would like people to see their work and recognise them for how good they are, not because they have 'a name'."