Piece of Art for Peace

This exhibition supported by the Southern Regional Arts Council comprised works which were the response of 80 artists throughout New Zealand to a request for a Piece of Art for Peace to mark the United Nations International Year of Peace.

Artists were invited to contribute an image on supplied A4 watercolour paper. The works were to be direct statements, presented in a simple, low cost and non-precious manner. Many leading artists of the day contributed to the exhibition.

There were many shades of reaction expressed on these images, optimism, hope and the futility of yearning for peace. There was also a range of materials and techniques including graphite, watercolour, gouache, acrylic, collage, photography and monoprint. Most artists made their piece in the style in which they were working.

This exhibition toured South Island venues small and large. In Oamaru it was banned from Council Chambers but after strong local debate it was presented at another venue at a later date. The wear and tear on this travelling exhibition was significant and Stanley Palmer's work was stolen.