Heart of the City: Paintings found dating back to 1870s
The Heart of the City column - in partnership with Invercargill Central - puts a focus on inner city Invercargill and reaffirms the area's status as the heart of the city.
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Renovators recladding the hallway roof cavity in the Hanan building at 130 Dee Street, on 17 June 2021, got more than they bargained for when they discovered two astronomical paintings dating back to the 1870s.
The paintings were done by the original building owner James Albert Hanan, who built it as his Temple of Arts & Science in 1878.
Louise Craig, the owner of Hanan Gallery, which is located in the old Temple building, said she was alerted to the fact that the paintings had been found and immediately recognised that they were done by Hanan and was inspired by their size and subject matter.
Craig decided to update her heritage display on James Hanan and combine it into an exhibition of her artworks, inspired by Hanan’s artwork.
Drawings of the original Temple layout, reproductions and originals of Hanan’s artwork are included in the exhibition.
The heritage display in Hanan Gallery also incorporates a previous find of Hanan’s artwork discovered in 1996.
This discovery was as random, with the fire brigade being called after smoke was smelt from a meter board.
Their investigations of an inaccessible attic culminated in a substantial find of James Hanan’s artwork.
Craig said Hanan used his Temple as a lecture theatre and he had prepared lectures on various topics, including astronomy and geology, and he incorporated his artwork as teaching aids in these lectures.
There was also a stage where concerts were held.
The building is now classified as a heritage building.
Craig is grateful for the funding she received a few years ago from the Southland Regional Heritage Committee. The support enabled her to complete the exhibition.
The Celestial, Heritage & Art exhibition is being shown at Hanan Gallery until 28 June.
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