Lemonbone is owned by Lynn Whitfield and Simon Vodanovich and we have been enthusiastic art collectors for over 30 years. Over this period we have developed strong connections within New Zealand’s vibrant visual arts community. We have great relationships with dealer galleries and local artists as well as charitable arts organisations and arts institutions such as the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki where Lynn in a very active volunteer guide and Simon has been a trustee of the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation for 10 years.
We established Lemonbone in 2002, initially to assist a couple of professional services firms wanting to lease some challenging contemporary art for their new office fit outs. Since then Lemonbone has over the last 22 years significantly grown its diverse art collection. Our collection first and foremost only includes art that we love and art that we find compelling as art and not just as interior design. Our clients often have some interest in contemporary art that will inspire, challenge and at times puzzle them and their friends. Our clients come from all walks of life and industry including law, accounting and other professional service firms, medical practices, ad agencies, film and media companies, and a wide variety of other businesses but also a number of private clients, including some home staging.
We enjoy supporting New Zealand artists, and over the past three decades have purchased nearly all of our art by New Zealand artists in the primary art market, from artists through their dealers. We are very proud of the calibre of our New Zealand artists and their ability to hold their own on the world stage. We are delighted to be able to showcase their work through art hire, providing an opportunity for our clients to live with exceptional work by emerging and leading New Zealand artists.
In recent years we have grown our collection to include artworks by some international artists, providing our clients with an opportunity to hire art by a number of leading and emerging contemporary international artists. Some recognisable names include Ai Wei Wei. Luc Tuymans, Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin but we are also excited to have added to our collection works by high calibre emerging international artists including Francesca Mollett, Jade Fadojutimi and Ser Serpas.
Through our art collection for hire, we offer affordable access to cutting edge art and ideas for anyone already interested in art or those wanting to learn about contemporary art. Leasing our art provides an opportunity to experience living with a diverse range of interesting contemporary art without the financial burden of ownership.
