RON BROWNSON ESTATE AUCTION 1 Tuesday, 4 November 2025 / 10:00 am start

Cordy’s is proud to announce the offering of the collection of the late Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki curator Ron Brownson (1952-2023). In recent years Ron curated major exhibitions by Colin McCahon, British artists Gilbert and George, Robert Ellis and the photographer Max Oettli. Ron’s leadership and mentorship was particularly notable in the areas of contemporary Pacifica art and photography. At least two generations of artists and peer curators respected Ron as a leader in these vital areas of our culture. Prior to his passing Ron was working on the landmark survey show of the photographer Mark Adams which was staged this year to great acclaim at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Ron was also a lifetime collector and his personal interests and passions are reflected in the suite of upcoming auction catalogues at Cordy’s. Ron was a regular visitor to Cordy’s over many years. Ron’s estate will be offered first in a curated auction to reflect his broad interests in textiles, art, photography, tribal & ethnographic artefacts, ceramics and furniture. Subsequent auctions will feature his wider collection as well as his extensive reference library. A substantial catalogue is currently being printed for this first auction. Two further auctions will follow in quick succession.