Allen Maddox, Untitled, 1986, oil on canvas, 1225 x 1225mm

Last year, The Chartwell Collection invited galleries across Aotearoa to participate in a year-long celebration of their 50th Anniversary. Fittingly, their initiative put the focus on artists and highlighted the integral role of dealer galleries in how they built their collection. The Chartwell Collection began in Hamilton in the early 1970s and has emerged as a champion of visual arts in Aotearoa. Their contribution in fostering local artists and supporting dealer galleries is unparalleled in this country.

At the heart of this grouping lies a shared focus on drawing, mark making and abstraction. For Chartwell, the 1980s saw a heightened interest in exploring large-scale abstract expressionist paintings, a trend that continued into the 1990s as acquisition practices evolved.

Although A Moment in Time: Dashper, Reynolds, Maddox examines a specific period in local art history, and visions have evolved over the years, it feels distinctly Chartwellean to us. This connection is underscored by personal memories, anecdotal links, and sometimes quirky associations.