Birkenhead Public Library - Artwork and Exhibitions

Artwork and Exhibitions

The library has purchased or had donated a variety of artworks:

• Two bound folios of Charles Goldie prints and watercolour prints of Charles Heaphy. Donated in 1981 and 1983 respectively by Bob & Norma Inward, valued at $750 each.
• Bush walk painting. Presented by the Birkenhead Licencing Trust, valued at $1500. Also "some pottery" and a leatherbound album of the 1988 Birkenhead centenary.
• "Sands of Time in Piha," painting by Michelle Stuart. Donated by Birkenhead Licensing Trust.
• "Polymorphous," a bronzed ceramic sculpture, donated by Ian Firth.
• "Nga Aho Matauranga" (Connections of knowledge) by Toi Te Ritio Mahi.
• "Island Night," handscreen printed acrylic by Sue Pearson.
• Six mural panels. Were located on streetfront alongside main entrance of Civic Reserve Library. Featuring local history heritage of early pioneers, horticulture, sugar factory and township. Done by students from Birkenhead College.

There have also been a number of exhibitions, often work of local artists. These were usually presented on the mezzanine floor of the Civic Reserve library. The first exhibition was a display of books in 1955. Subjects ranged from "poetry to sheep mustering," and included works by William Satchell and Katherine Mansfield. The oldest item was a bible in Maori published in 1840. During the North Shore Arts Festival of 1966 there was an exhibition devoted exclusively to Maori books, sculpture and painting.

Other exhibitions include paintings by Pauline Thompson, Linda Mcneur-Wismer, Betty Eddington, and Susan Durrant, pottery by Peter Collis and Peter Shearer, prints by Julienne Francis, glass sculptures by Carl Houser, and copperwork by Andrew Campbell. A fabric art collection by locals was instigated by Rata Graham and displayed as part of the library's centenary celebrations.