Bidders expected to show aroha for signed painting

An artist’s proof of a painting that sparked an Electoral Commission investigation before the election is expected to break a price record at an art auction tonight.

The art piece of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, which has her signature on it, is the work of Mike Weston and Otis Frizzell, who operate as Weston Frizzell and are longtime supporters of the Labour Party.

It is one of many art pieces that have been donated by local artists to help raise funds for the IHC Art Awards, which provides artists with intellectual disability the opportunity to have their talent recognised and sell their work.

The painting Aroha is a pop art image of Ardern that was created in the wake of last year’s Christchurch mosque shootings and the original sold to a Tauranga woman for $19,500.

Dame Denise L’EstrangeCorbet, founder of WORLD Legacy Charity Project and IHC Art Awards ambassador said the artwork could set a record breaking amount.

The auction is an annual event to help raise funds for artists with disabilities.

“I have a feeling this will break a record, as not only is it the first artist’s proof, it is signed by the artists and the Prime Minister whilst she is in office,” she said.

“When the boys called it Aroha, I understand they had no idea it was her daughter’s middle name.”

The art piece was styled similar to the iconic Barack Obama Hope poster but with Ardern’s image and the word “Aroha” — the Ma¯ori word for love.

Ahead of the elections, Weston Frizzell put up dozens of the prints at various dairies and locations across the country, which sparked complaints to the Electoral Commission.

The Taxpayers’ Union claimed at the time that the posters fit under the law’s definition of advertisements and were likely to persuade someone to vote for a given candidate or party.

Weston felt, however, it was freedom of expression, which was protected by the Bill of Rights.

Following an investigation, the commission concluded the posters displayed in a commercial space were considered ads for Labour.

The auction will be at Webbs, Normanby Rd, today at 6.30pm and is the first section up before the annual preChristmas art auction.

Webbs estimated the Aroha art piece could sell between $2500 and $4500.

The artists and Webbs have waived all rights and charges, and all proceeds will go to the IHC Art Awards.

An extremely rare artwork by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s 10 most traded artists at auction this year and the top-selling female artist of all time, is up for sale at Webb’s Works of Art auction in Auckland tonight. The piece was acquired by a second-hand collector many years ago as part of a portfolio which also consisted of vintage posters and screen prints. “I got a shiver down my spine the first time I saw it,” says Webb’s head of art Charles Ninow (pictured). Webb’s bought the artwork to the attention of the Yayoi Kusama Foundation in Tokyo, which authenticated and registered the work. The artwork carries a presale estimate of $100,000 to $200,000 but international interest could push the price higher.

Photo / Alex Burton Aroha is a pop art image of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern that was created in the wake of last year’s Christchurch mosque shootings.