AUCKLAND.- Auckland Art Gallery proudly unveils a masterpiece of New Zealand art. Tony Fomison’s The Ponsonby Madonna went on public display for the first time since being gifted to Auckland Art Gallery by a private donor. The 2.3 x 3.6m mural, commissioned for the St Paul’s College chapel 25 years ago, had become too valuable for the Ponsonby school to protect and insure. Painted under a government PEP labour scheme, Fomison’s only mural is a landmark of creative achievement.

Senior curator Ron Brownson says the painting is a key work of religious New Zealand art. “The Ponsonby Madonna locates the life of Jesus Christ firmly within Auckland city and its population. St Paul’s College students can readily identify with Fomison’s Polynesian Mary and her teenage son,” he says. “This powerful and expressive painting is so visually stunning that once seen, it is never forgotten.”

Born in Christchurch, Fomison was closely involved with Maori and Samoan communities to the extent that he underwent the full traditional Samoan tattoo, known as pe’a. He died in 1990. Auckland Art Gallery has the pre-eminent collection of his paintings, drawings and prints.

Auckland Art Gallery director Chris Saines says the gallery is privileged to have been entrusted with the care of such a great Auckland painting. “I’m delighted that both the school and the Fomison family have been so supportive of this acquisition,” he says.
A special ceremony will be held at the gallery on Friday 9 November to mark the handing over of the work.

St Paul’s College principal Denys Marra, who knew Fomison, says the event will be a momentous occasion for the school. “The mural holds a special place in our heart. It will be sadly missed,” he says.

“The school has done the only responsible thing, which was to move the painting to a site where it would be looked after securely to be enjoyed by the people of Auckland,” he says. Media are welcome to attend the event. Students will perform a musical tribute and the painting will be blessed by a Pacific representative of the Roman Catholic church.

The Ponsonby Madonna is on display in Likeness & Character, a free exhibition.