Five of New Zealand's finest and most acclaimed artists have been honoured for a lifetime of significant artistic achievement in the Arts Foundation of New Zealand's Icon Awards. The recipients of the 2007 Awards are photographer Ans Westra (pictured in a self portrait as a young woman), visual artist Don Peebles, theatre designer Dr Raymond Boyce, sculptor Arnold Wilson, and the late actor/producer/director Don Selwyn.Five of New Zealand's finest and most acclaimed artists have been honoured for a lifetime of significant artistic achievement in the Arts Foundation of New Zealand's Icon Awards. The recipients of the 2007 Awards are photographer Ans Westra (pictured in a self portrait as a young woman), visual artist Don Peebles, theatre designer Dr Raymond Boyce, sculptor Arnold Wilson, and the late actor/producer/director Don Selwyn."Each of these most treasured artists are leaders in their field, they are icons of New Zealand art," said Arts Foundation of New Zealand chairperson, Ros Burdon. "They join a growing circle of New Zealand's pre-eminent artists, which includes Janet Frame, Ralph Hotere and Margaret Mahy."

Ans Westra is one of New Zealand's most esteemed documentary photographers, with a career spanning almost 50 years. She immigrated to New Zealand from the Netherlands in 1957 and her work was brought into the public eye in 1964 with the Department of Education's publication Washday at the Pa. She is known particularly for her photographs of Maori, the 1970s counterculture and protest action in general.

A key figure in the emergence and evolution of New Zealand abstract art, Don Peebles is not only known as a leading force in contemporary New Zealand painting but also as one of New Zealand's most senior and respected active artists. His work has been represented in both public and private collections in New Zealand and internationally.

Dr Raymond Boyce is one of New Zealand's pre-eminent set and costume designers whose work for theatre, opera and ballet has set the standard of excellence from which New Zealand's performing arts scene has hugely benefited. Apart from his theatre work, Raymond is also justly celebrated for his tapestry designs for the rebuilt Globe Theatre in London.

Arnold Manaaki Wilson (Ngai Tuhoe and Te Arawa) is one of the most significant forces in contemporary Maori sculpture. Arnold was the first Maori to gain a Diploma in Fine Arts with first-class honours in sculpture. His work has been exhibited extensively in New Zealand and overseas. He has also had a successful and long career in art education, leading a cultural revival of Maori art in schools and in the wider community.

Don Selwyn (Ngati Kuri and Te Aupouri) had a long-standing and distinguished career in the New Zealand film, television and theatre industry as an actor, director, producer and casting director. He championed Maori drama, performing in both Maori and English, and was a prime mover in establishing respect for Maori viewpoints and culture in mainstream New Zealand film and television.

Don Selwyn passed away on April 13, 2007, in Auckland, just days after the Arts Foundation presented Don with his Icon Award, which he accepted after understanding that the award was not just for his acting, but also for his significant contributions as a producer and director.

"The Foundation is honoured that Don was able to join New Zealand's most treasured artists as a celebrated Icon before his death," says Ros Burdon.

Each award recipient is presented with a specially commissioned medallion and pounamu pin designed by stone sculptor John Edgar. The pin is a gift, while the medallions are returned at the end of the artist's life, and presented to a successor.

As the medallions are passed down through generations of our finest artists, the mana of the Award will grow. For instance, the Icon Award which was first presented to Janet Frame in 2003 will this year be passed on to Ans Westra.

The aim is for there to be a select circle of just 20 living Icon Artists at any one time - people honoured for a lifetime of artistic achievement and dedication to their chosen art form.

All the 2007 recipients were honoured to receive the Award. Don Peebles said, "When I look at the names of the existing holders of the award I am most truly humbled. Ans Westra said, "The Icon Award is up there on that pinnacle of lifetime achievements."

"The Icon Awards give New Zealanders the opportunity to identify those artists who have excelled as contributors to this country's cultural identity. The Awards ceremony enables us to thank the Icon Artists for their contributions and to celebrate their achievements with them," says Ros Burdon

Neil Paviour-Smith, the managing director of Forsyth Barr, principal sponsor of the Arts Foundation, said: "We are proud to partner with the Arts Foundation as they widen the family of Icons today by honouring another five of our most venerable artists, whose rich gifts have enhanced our cultural heritage. The vibrancy these artists add to our society must be acknowledged and celebrated. These Awards are a way to recognise the very top tier of this important group of creative New Zealanders."

The 2007 Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icons artists join:
Len Castle - Potter, Maurice Gee - Writer, Peter Godfrey - Musician, Patricia Grace - Writer, Alexander Grant - Dance, Pakariki Harrison - Carver, Ralph Hotere - Visual Artist, Russell Kerr - Choreographer, Margaret Mahy - Writer, Sir Donald McIntyre - Opera Singer, Milan Mrkusich - Visual Artist, Donald Munro - Opera, Diggeress Te Kanawa - Weaver, Hone Tuwhare - Poet and Sir Miles Warren - Architect. Writer Janet Frame (1924-2004), who was also given an Icon Award in 2003, passed away in 2004.

8/7/07