By Ali Ikram
It’s not often that arts patrons – the well-heeled New Zealanders who give out tens of thousands of dollars to help struggling creatives – are the ones who get recognised.
It’s usually the artists getting the awards.
But tonight in Auckland the tables were turned.
Patron Gus Fisher was showered with kisses by the arts community. In return the 89-year-old showered them with cash. How much he and his wife Irene have donated over the years, however, he’s not saying.
“I personally have never bought a painting for an investment,” says Mr Fisher.
“I’ve bought a painting because; If I can afford it I can’t bear to be without it.”
As part of their award for patronage, the Arts Foundation gave Mr and Mrs Fisher $20,000. The couple ponied up $30,000 of their own to make grants to two fashion designers and three artists, including one of their favourites – Coromandel painter Michael Smither.
Mr Smither says he has some idea of what he might spend the money on.
“I need new glasses… and my teeth need fixing.”
For a previous generation of New Zealanders, Mr Fisher is synonymous for his fashion line House of El Jay.
Tonight one of his original models took to the catwalk in one of his original designs.
The 33 years Mr Fisher has spent making garments in New Zealand for Dior brought him face-to-face with the label’s legendary found and the differences between French and New Zealand women.
“The Parisians have this thing that when a woman goes out shopping she will want to dress in a way that doesn’t let the street down,” he says.
“It’s hard to think of a New Zealander being concerned about the street. French women don’t have parties because they don’t have close female friends like New Zealand women do – because other women are their enemies.”
It is the fifth time the Arts Foundation has recognised the often unseen, but vital, role of arts patrons.
“Frankly we’re stuffed without you if you don’t have to buy your paintings you don’t survive.”
Tonight was the first time Mr Smither had met Mr and Mrs Fisher.
They gave him $10,000 and he reckons it might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
3 News