Art therapy gets boost from New Artland auction

TVNZ 7’s New Artland charity art auction has contributed the $40,000 raised from last Thursday’s event to The Stroke Foundation.

The auction was inspired by presenter Chris Knox, who suffered a stroke recently. It was held to coincide with the launch of series two, with proceeds from the evening going to the Stroke Foundation to fund art therapy and other stroke rehabilitation work.

A number of artists from across the series of New Artland generously contributed works of art and items which sold at auction.

This support came from Dick Frizzell, Grahame Sydney, Virginia King, Wayne Youle, Ronnie Van Hout, Niki Hastings-McFall, Karl Maughan, Jacquelyn Greenback, Seung Yul Oh, Tracey Tawhiao, Alex Monteith and Reuben Paterson.

The Stroke Foundation says the proceeds from TVNZ 7's New Artland art auction will go towards funding stroke rehabilitation, with a focus on art therapy.

"Unfortunately, many people do not qualify for ongoing rehabilitation support from either the Ministry of Health, or ACC," said Stroke Foundation CEO Mark Vivian.

"With the funds raised we will at least be able to give some stroke survivors access to art therapy."

He says art therapy involves the use of visual art forms such as drawing, painting and sculpture to help with rehabilitation.

"In people who have had a stroke, art therapy can reduce stress and depression and increase motivation. It can also help communication and language skills, improve cognitive function, and help with gross and fine motor skills."

Stroke is the third largest killer in New Zealand – more than 2000 people die from a stroke every year – and the major cause of adult disability in New Zealand.

There are 56,000 stroke survivors in New Zealand, many of whom have disability and need significant daily support.

The Stroke Foundation is a non-profit organisation that works to improve stroke support in the community, as well as raising awareness of stroke symptoms and risks through stroke prevention information. It also promotes research into the causes of stroke, and improvements in stroke acute and rehabilitation services.

TVNZ 7’s New Artland profiles thirteen leading artists who have been handpicked to create new works of art with the help of Kiwi communities.

Presenter Chris Knox, best known as a musician and cartoonist, follows the artists from the initial idea through to the final unveiling. It is widely known that Knox suffered a stroke recently.

New Artland is produced for TVNZ 7 by FAT Productions and screens Saturdays at 9.35pm on TVNZ 7 (TVNZ 7 is available on Freeview's Channel 7 and SKY's Channel 97).