Artist gives life’s work to city

9 October 2018

Image: Printmaker Gary Tricker

An internationally acclaimed printmaker has chosen Hamilton to be the home of his artistic legacy, with a gift of nearly 500 artworks to the city.

Gary Tricker has donated 483 artworks valued at $145,000 to Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, through the Waikato Bequests Trust.

Mr Tricker has exhibited his work around the world, and is renowned for his whimsical, semi-abstract surreal images.

Waikato Bequests Trust’s partnership with Hamilton City Council sees the donated works cared for by Waikato Museum and available to be shown in its exhibitions.

Seventy-seven of Mr Tricker’s works are now on display in an exhibition titled Cats, Trains, and Whimsy: Exquisite Etchings by Gary Tricker, which runs until 18 November at Waikato Museum.  

“The exhibition has been presented beautifully by the team at Waikato Museum,” says Mr Tricker. “Seeing it has absolutely confirmed that Waikato Museum is the best place to have these works for its visitors to enjoy.”

Mr Tricker was born in Wellington in 1938. He worked as a graphic artist for the Government Tourist Department, Government Printing Office, and Technical Correspondence School for a period of 18 years. Since 1976 he has worked as a full-time printmaker.

Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham says a gift of this volume and value is rare.

“Gary’s works are held in the collections of Auckland Art Gallery, Te Papa, the Govett-Brewster, Christchurch Art Gallery as well as those of many private collectors,” she says.

“This donation increases the number of his works held by Waikato Museum to more than 500 and represents a wealth of exhibition opportunities.”