The Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction committee is delighted to announce this year’s feature artist – Josh Lancaster.
2023 will be the 31st edition of this long-standing, premier charity event with all proceeds gifted to Cranford Hospice. ‘In spite of yet another turbulant year for our beloved Hawke’s Bay community, we are delighted to announce that we have secured over 40 unique lots for the Wine Auction to take place on Saturday 16th September at ToiToi Arts & Events Centre’ stated General Manager Maxime Cavey.
The anchor to these incredible & unique wine lots is always one fantastic piece of art that is created especially for the event. This year HBWA has partnered with the accomplished Josh Lancaster, a NZ landscape painter based here in Hawke’s Bay.
His landscapes often capture the geography of the heart – the places we call ‘ours’ and that define who we are and where we are from. Depictions of the scenes we know and love, that help connect us all through a shared memory of place.
Josh believes in the stories that places can tell. The scenes painted become an access point for memories that bring with them the comfort of a familiar face.
He has beautifully painted a quintessential landmark and view that will evoque memories for some and mesmerize others. The piece is acrylic on canvas 1500x1000m, and framed by Chris at Edges Framing in Havelock North. The artwork is to be revealed at a private event on the evening of Wednesday 19th July prior to being exhibited at various locations around Hawke’s Bay ahead of its auction on Saturday 16th September.
There is no mistaking Josh’s talent and why his pieces are so sought after and fetch record-breaking prices, but his generosity knows no bounds and he has also gifted the HBWA a second piece.
A signed & numbered limited edition print by Josh Lancaster named Te Awa. This is a piece from Josh Lancaster’s sell-out solo show in Havelock North ‘BITS OF THE BAY’ in 2018. It features the iconic ‘self-oiler’ wind turbine sitting outside Te Awa estate in the late afternoon sun. ‘A marker for remembering special times, special people, special occasions. And most probably a special wine.’ says Josh.
Sadly this landmark is no longer standing so it has been captured in time.
Another generous being has gifted a unique collection of 6 bottles of Te Awa Estate wines, also no longer in production, that will be put together with the print and offered as an extra auction lot at the Auction Preview and Tasting event to be held at the Napier War Memorial Centre on Wednesday 16th August in the company Event Ambassador Mike McRoberts.
Last year, the Wine Auction raised a record $352,440 for Cranford, the largest single donation the Hospice receives. ‘In February we were just about to launch in to this year’s Auction campaign when Gabrielle changed the course and lives of many’, said Maxime. ‘We had to change various ways of organising and representing our event, as well as supporting our contributors, donors and sponsors. We aim to tell the story of the Hawke’s Bay community to the world this year and shine a light on what makes Hawke’s Bay great. ‘
We hope you will support our events and spread the word to enable us to raise even more than last year and continue supporting the formidable work Cranford does for those in our community.
Learn more and follow Josh on Facebook and Instagram @joshlancasterpaintings
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