Art collector laments the 'boring' Len Lye Centre

Wednesday, 30 May 2018

Renowned New Plymouth art collector and businessman John Matthews has called the Len Lye Centre gallery he helped bring to life 'boring.'

In a submission to New Plymouth District Council's Long Term Plan, Matthews said while he and his wife Lynda were proud to be a part of delivering the 'beautiful building' for the $11.5 million Len Lye Centre (LLC), the same could not be said of the inside. 

'We're short serving visitors in having pretty boring exhibitions,' he said.

That was a common feeling in the region, he said.

**READ MORE:

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* 'Many and varied' reasons why Peringa Park unsuitable for development

* Len Lye Centre: Still controversial after all these years**

Earlier in the week submitter and long time LLC critic Morris West said the centre had 'more staff than exhibits' as part of his submission on rates accountability. But to hear similar sentiments from Matthews, the engineer who is arguably most responsible for turning Lye's ideas into reality, is unexpected. 

Matthews wrote in his submission that the proposed $15 Len Lye Centre entry fee for non-residents had been shown to be a 'kiss of death' in other parts of the country.

'However, as long as it is seen as an experiment it can be readily reversed.'

He said his concern was in respect of the annual number of visitors, which the gallery should surely be aiming to increase.

'If it doesn't it is failing in its objectives.'

Matthews also felt it was 'healthy' that gallery director Simon Rees had moved on as it allowed a new director to come in with new ideas.

'It's part of the fundamentals of art galleries to have changing directors so you have new experiences all the time.'

Rees left his post as art director suddenly last week.

As part of his extensive submission Matthews also proposed moving State Highway 3 through Omata village further to the east to reduce traffic density through the small town.