Why Commission Now

Owning a “living portrait” goes beyond acquiring art, it is an investment in cultural legacy, personal storytelling, and the creative life of Queenstown.

• Participate in the creation of a unique artwork that reflects your story.

• Acquire a significant work by an artist with national recognition.

• Support the Whakatipu region’s primary community arts centre - 35% of your commission directly supports Te Atamira and Queenstown’s creative community.

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What You’ll Receive

• Exclusive Performance Painting session – an immersive, documented, contemporary art collaboration.

• Archival artwork (65x52cm) – museum-quality, framed and ready for display.

• Certificate of authenticity from this established Aotearoa New Zealand artist.

• Participation in a limited cultural legacy series documenting Queenstown's contemporary community.  

• Exhibition opportunity – with your consent, your portrait may be included in The Artist exhibition at Te Atamira (Dec 2025–Feb 2026).

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Your Artistic Journey

• Consultation (1 hour) – 1:1 meeting with Julia to shape your vision.

• Performance Painting Session (3 hours) – co-create your portrait. This includes discussion, pose decisions, preparation, painting, and post-performance clean up. Invite up to 6 guests to observe the experience.  

• Documentation – professional photographic capturing of the process.

• Completion – archival print and museum-quality framing.

• Private Viewing – your artwork revealed.

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About Julia Holden

Julia Holden is a celebrated Aotearoa New Zealand interdisciplinary artist renowned for her distinctive “living portraiture” practice. Her Performance Painting projects, notably the I’m your fan and Lyttelton Redux series, have achieved significant national recognition for their innovative and highly collaborative approach to portrait-making.  

In residence at Te Atamira (from August to October 2025), Julia is creating new works for The Artist exhibition. Only two private commissions are available during her residency.

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Your Investment

$17,250 (incl. GST) | All-inclusive: consultation, session, documentation, printing, framing.

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How to Secure Your Place

Step into the role of collaborator, patron, and cultural custodian. Get in touch with the Te Atamira team today to discuss your commission.

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Te Atamira: +64 (0)27 1800 2868 | hello@teatamira.nz