Artist’s fantasy vision
A self proclaimed medieval queen is seeking Gareth Morgan and one hundred wealthy pensioners to transform Tı¯rau’s Castle Pamela into a gallery for her art.
Artist Elizabeth Grainger Kyle, whose elaborate medieval themed art and attire earned her the title of ‘the Mother of Visionary Art in Australia’ where she was based for 25 years before she returned home in 2017, has expressed interest in the castle. It’s on the market for $1.5 million.
It’s not the first time she’d set her sights on owning a medieval home. In
2016 she attempted to repurchase her former home, Katikati’s Fantail Lodge, which she was forced to sell when her marriage fell apart.
She hoped to raise $1.5 million via givealittle with plans to transform the
6.9ha property into a ‘‘medieval sanctuary’’ but fell well short with just over $2000 donated from 10 donors.
‘‘I am sixty seven years of age and need a permanent home for my art which can remain there after I die. Castle Pamela [would house] my Visionary Art Collection of over 70 works which would be in part of the area of the doll museum. I wish to live upstairs.
‘‘We need room for local and international guest speakers. There also needs to be room for a medieval gift shop as well as reproductions of my work. Local crafts people could sell their wares here too. Also I have medieval costumes and dance costumes, some of which can be for hire, so we need a sewing room, changing rooms and huge wardrobe.
‘‘There can be fairs within the castle walls and special functions. Being a visionary, I can see this happening. Now I need Mother Earth to grant me a miracle,’’ she said. That’s because she has no money to be able to do it.
Grainger Kyle believes her ‘‘miracle’’ solution could be prominent New Zealand economist Gareth Morgan and donations from pensioners.
‘‘My dilemma is that I have spent my life being of service to my inspiration source, Papatuanuku, that I have not focused on making money and, whereas I have much to offer, I do need a patron. One idea is that if I can find a hundred wealthy pensioners who were prepared to give their pension to a Charitable Trust, Gareth Morgan would match it with $300,000. A patron would be the ultimate answer. In my life I had two patrons, Sir Robert Owen’s in Tauranga and a wealthy lady friend in Australia.
‘‘I don’t necessarily need to own the property, but I would like it to be left to the community when I die and it be kept going for the good of all,’’ she said. But Morgan said he had never heard of Grainger Kyle.
‘‘This is the first I have ever heard of the lady and certainly the first I have ever heard of the proposal unless I have got a rogue staff member that has gone off and done something funny.
‘‘I don’t know what else to say really. Goodness me,’’ he said. It’s the second time Grainger Kyle has sought public funding to purchase a ‘castle’.
‘‘There is so much about Castle Pamela that is perfect for my vision and there aren’t many medieval queens around these days,’’ she said.
On questioning Grainger Kyle about Morgan’s involvement she said she may have got her wires crossed.
‘‘I had just heard he would be willing,’’ she said.