There are currently only two galleries in Fiji where local artists can display their pieces to sell and exhibit.

That’s all expected to change with the establishment of a national gallery for contemporary art which will be located in Suva and will be the first permanent home for local art and artisans.

British High Commissioner to Fiji Melanie Hopkins says it’s an exciting time for the development of the arts here.

“The British Council is engaged with the government of Fiji in a program to help develop and create a vision behind a national gallery of contemporary art and that is a very important program and we hope very much that this gallery will be a trail blazer, but from a personal perspective, may I say that every time I get to see Fijian art and meet the artists, I hunger for spaces where the art can be displayed.”

For well-known and acclaimed Fijian artist Lambert Ho, the gallery is long overdue.

“For the past 40 years since I’ve been painting and I’m so glad now that government and the British Council now getting this space across town there, the old Saint Stephens House to be the national contemporary gallery of arts.

Meanwhile, a group of established local artists recently held an exhibition at the residence of the British High Commission showcasing 75 original pieces for a fundraiser.

Partial proceeds from the sales of the art pieces was handed over to Save the Children Fiji to support their educational programs.