Artist lists work for $10M

A Welcome Bay artist has listed her sculpted version of Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century mural ‘The Last Supper' on Trade Me – for the princely sum of $10 million.

Fran Mens believes the high sum might tempt a buyer out of the woodwork, but at the same time says a part of her hopes it won't sell.


Fran Mens has listed her 'The Last Supper' on Trade Me for $10 million.

'For a billionaire, that's not a lot of money.”

But she also accepts that sort of money puts the work out of reach for most, 'which is good because it would break my heart if it sold”.

Fran spent three years sculpting the 2.5 metre by 1.5 metre piece. And she says the price tag reflects the fact the work 'is priceless and deserves to stand in a home of glory”.

She is confident da Vinci would have loved her work, and would have been proud of her.

So far the auction has attracted 700 views, but there's been no nibbles yet, she says.

When SunLive asked to see Fran's piece, she reminded us it is a very intense, spiritual and emotional moment.

Entering a blackened-out garage where the air is thick with incense, there it stood.

Wired with its own built-in lighting effects, mortar, copper, oak, stone, coloured glass, and table platters, it's Tauranga's own da Vinci.

Fran prefers the artwork to be viewed from a particular seat to 'get the full impact of the work”.

After spending six frustrating and futile years promoting the work, she is open to opinion, and hardened to rejection.

'I went to bed one night, had a vision and it haunted me for a year. My husband encouraged me to get started. It is my heart and soul."

It appears the art world may not share her vision.

Fran offered ‘The last Supper' to Tauranga Art Gallery, but was told the gallery only exhibits educational and historic pieces.

The curator told her he didn't believe in Jesus, she says.

She also offered it to Te Papa, but unfortunately 'I wasn't a recognised artist”.

'I stand for hours in front of The Last Supper and the lads. I call them the lads and I understand how they feel. A bunch of guys trying to do their best for the world and no-one was listening.

'I just want to be taken seriously, to share my work with New Zealand and the world. We should embrace people with talent, not shove them aside.”

Fran is hurting.

'Can you help me?” she asks, with tears streaming down her face.

'Can Tauranga help me? And if not then I will put in on Ebay.”

See the auction here.



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10 comments

Incensed

Posted on 26-09-2014 13:11 | By Sambo Returns

I have just read an article somewhere about the joys of smoking incense.


Artist lists work for $10 million

Posted on 26-09-2014 13:27 | By jeanette nee

My 10 million will go for Leonardo da Vinci's version---thank you. There could be space for your work in the plastic Waka---have you asked Creative ARTS?


nice

Posted on 26-09-2014 16:12 | By Capt_Kaveman

work but a main reason why ratepayers should not be funding the art gallery


Nice

Posted on 26-09-2014 20:47 | By Surfwatch

A very good piece of art. All artists should keep their day jobs though. No money in Art.


$10 000 000

Posted on 26-09-2014 21:50 | By noodle

If this art work sells for the asking price, then god does really does exist. :0)


If I may ask????

Posted on 27-09-2014 14:18 | By Sambo Returns

during the 3 x arduous years "it" took, how did you support yourself?, and if you where getting taxpayer assistance, if "it" sells do we get our investment back plus 15% interest?.


nasty people

Posted on 27-09-2014 15:24 | By freedomkiwis

Boy there are some nasty people among these comments. Fancy assuming this lady is living on taxpayer assistance. What an egomaniac. She may have been doing it in her own time, or she may have a husband that works. You would be such a negative person to be around...."IF I MAY ASK??" do you have any friends?


@freedomkiwis

Posted on 27-09-2014 17:29 | By Sambo Returns

dont choke on your hemp, but no one is assuming anything, that is why in the real world unaddled by incense smoke questions get asked, and replies can be made, possibly to stop assumptions!!!, as I do not live my life in a garage with no lights and worship clay people I do not know these things, am I not allowed to ask a question.


Art for Art's sake...

Posted on 28-09-2014 00:02 | By morepork

... money for God's sake... It really doesn't matter whether the artist is religious or not. It is a competent piece of work (judging from the photos) and maybe someone somewhere who has the wherewithal will feel moved enough to buy it. The "price" of an art work reflects how much the artist(or their agent, sometimes...) values it, not how much the community values it. It isn't about time and materials; it is about inspiration, imagination, and creativity. If the price is too high the artist will be left with it (which I believe is what she really wants), otherwise, whoever gets it will truly value it. It is a one-off; there are no factories churning them out. Good luck to her and thanks to Sun Live for letting us share it.


nice

Posted on 29-09-2014 16:44 | By karlpenlington

not sure it will go for the asking price but a lot of time and energy went in to making this, well done. we need more artist in this world


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