Josh, Peter & Annie Webb pose with 'Kowhaiwhai' by Andrew McLeod a work from their collection, now in the Fletcher Trust Collection. Photo: Karin Montgomery c2016
Erika and I are sorry to hear of the passing away of Peter Webb, a true kiwi cultural hero.
Peter was our boss at Peter Webb Galleries (Webb’s Auctions) from when Erika started at Webb’s in 2001 to when I finished in 2014. Peter was a true gentleman and an inspiring person to work for. He had a massive input in establishing and driving New Zealand’s post war modern art environment.
Peter’s artistic curiosity, entrepreneurial drive and impeccable eye, saw him build a career that touched on almost all aspects of the New Zealand art market.
In 1958 he started NZ’s first dealer only gallery Argus, featuring emerging modernist NZ artists including good friend Colin McCahon’s first Auckland show (French Bay paintings).
He was a founding director of NZ’s first art and antique auction house, John Cordy’s in 1963.
As Exhibition’s Officer at The Auckland Art Gallery, 1973, he staged NZ’s first blockbuster art show, John Constable - The Natural Painter.
In 1974 he helped launch the quarterly art magazine, Art New Zealand.
Also in 1974 he re-opened his own gallery (Peter Webb Galleries) which after a series of successful antique and art auctions evolved into the leading specialist art auction house in New Zealand.
An interview with Peter is available on the Cultural Icons website here.
We send our thoughts and best wishes to Annie, Sophie and the rest of Peter’s family.
Peter was our boss at Peter Webb Galleries (Webb’s Auctions) from when Erika started at Webb’s in 2001 to when I finished in 2014. Peter was a true gentleman and an inspiring person to work for. He had a massive input in establishing and driving New Zealand’s post war modern art environment.
Peter’s artistic curiosity, entrepreneurial drive and impeccable eye, saw him build a career that touched on almost all aspects of the New Zealand art market.
In 1958 he started NZ’s first dealer only gallery Argus, featuring emerging modernist NZ artists including good friend Colin McCahon’s first Auckland show (French Bay paintings).
He was a founding director of NZ’s first art and antique auction house, John Cordy’s in 1963.
As Exhibition’s Officer at The Auckland Art Gallery, 1973, he staged NZ’s first blockbuster art show, John Constable - The Natural Painter.
In 1974 he helped launch the quarterly art magazine, Art New Zealand.
Also in 1974 he re-opened his own gallery (Peter Webb Galleries) which after a series of successful antique and art auctions evolved into the leading specialist art auction house in New Zealand.
An interview with Peter is available on the Cultural Icons website here.
We send our thoughts and best wishes to Annie, Sophie and the rest of Peter’s family.
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