The Morant Foundation
Compassion through creativity
"...every human is an artist to some degree and that the creative process in every individual contributes to the foundation and progress of their society."
- KEITH MORANT
Statement of Intent
The Morant Foundation is a legally registered Trust and has been put in place for the protection and conservation of artwork by Keith Morant of Christchurch, New Zealand.
The intentions of this trust are to promote and preserve the artwork of Morant while at the same time creating a greater awareness of art and artists in the region of Canterbury and New Zealand.
While all basic capital and collateral rests on the property and work of Morant, it is through the organising of exhibitions and promotion of local artists that the trust will proceed
.It is intended that the Foundation will curate at least one exhibition annually of selected artists for display at a local venue. Expenses for such exhibitions will be underwritten by the Trust to alleviate financial pressure and enhance reputations of local creators.
A Canvas For Community
The Morant Foundation was established in 2017 to protect and preserve the work of Christchurch artist Keith Morant, while also promoting the wider arts community in Canterbury. A major part of their mission involves organising and underwriting at least one exhibition each year. By covering the venue costs and promotional expenses, the trust aims to relieve financial pressure on local creators and help boost their reputations in the art world.
Since its launch, the foundation has successfully hosted several fantastic events that bring both emerging talents and established professionals together. From large group showcases to sponsoring specific awards, they have consistently drawn great crowds and garnered support from local leaders like Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner. A few of their main exhibitions and events include:
- February 2018: Their inaugural show titled 'New Art' was held at the Arts Centre of Christchurch, featuring paintings and sculptures from 32 different artists.
- June 2018: The 'Eclectic Art' exhibition took place at the Windsor Gallery, providing over 30 budding artists with a fantastic space to show their work without worrying about advertising costs or gallery commissions.
- July 2019: This event saw 13 creators present a curated selection of exceptional pieces at the beautiful Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery.
- November 2020: While not an exclusive foundation exhibition, they proudly sponsored a cash prize for the annual Canterbury Potters Association show at the Canterbury Museum.
- June 2021: A special winter showcase linked to Matariki, which celebrated the commitment and professionalism of nine local creatives and drew a massive turnout.