Portrait of a Dealer Gallery in Wellington: the Elva Bett Gallery 1968-1980

Abstract

This thesis charts the history of the Elva Bett Gallery from 1968 to 1980. It argues that the Elva Bett Gallery played an integral role in the development of contemporary art dealing in Wellington in the 1970s: that the gallery's programming was both wide and more versatile than other contemporary dealer galleries in the capital: and that by focusing on the potential of young artists it was instrumental in the development of several subsequent major New Zealand artists. Its place in art in New Zealand is covered under four chapter headings: History, Exhibitions, Artists, Clients. Chapter I presents an historical survey of the gallery. It places it within the context of its predecessors and defines the circumstances leading up to its opening and its relationship with other galleries dealing in art in Wellington. Chapter II covers selected exhibitions from the 249 shows held between the years 1968 and 1980. It examines the range of the various exhibitions and the categories under which they were shown. Chapter III focuses on the major artists who contributed to the prestige that the gallery attained. It identifies eight young artists and argues that it was the building of their reputations that secured the gallery's standing. It further identifies four senior artists who were the mainstay of the gallery's flexible schedule of exhibitions. It also briefly covers the work of another six artists whose personalities added variety to the gallery's programming. Chapter IV reviews the clients who gave the gallery valuable financial support thereby enabling it to function successfully as a gallery dealing in contemporary art in Wellington. It concludes that the Elva Bett Gallery filled a need in Wellington for such a gallery, that it was the right gallery, in the right place, at the right time. The Appendices provide a complete list of artists and dates of their exhibitions; a summary of sales figures; a selection of Elva Bett Gallery Newsletters, and other relevant data pertaining to the organisation of the gallery.