ARTIS Gallery is the host gallery for Medal Art New Zealand (MANZ) – a group of New Zealand’s leading contemporary sculptors. This is a biennial exhibition, and in 2019, thirty-five artists are presenting medals and/or small sculptures.

“The making of medals in the past evolved from the early traditions of metal coinage. Today it is an increasingly diverse practice, in subject matter, form, techniques and materials. This diversity is demonstrated in the works that make up this exhibition and is also reflective of the varied practices of the members of Medal Artists New Zealand and the invited guest exhibitors.

A compact art form, the medal can address history, commemorate an illustrious person, a significant event, or act as a personal memento. Regardless of the subject matter or technique, the contemporary medal demonstrates a concentration of the maker’s mind, and a honing of information down to the essential, made for handling and contemplation.

These days a large variety of geometric shapes are acceptable forms for art medals but the use or reference to the circle continues to be the most accepted or preferred. Traditionally, medals must be produced as editions and made of permanent materials such as bronze, silver or gold but other materials may be used and these are quite varied, particularly with technological advances; glass and porcelain for instance. The main requirement is that they are durable.

Edition sizes vary according to the methods of production and scale ranges from very small and intimate works to larger works.”

Michael Reed – Curator 2019