Strong Voices

The first thing you notice when you walk into the central Wellington offices of Forté Recruitment is the art.

The entrance hall proudly displays a range of works in different mediums - from paint to tapa design to tapestry.

Meeting rooms too have walls of beautifully presented objet d’art sitting alongside paintings and weaving.

Art is everywhere and much of it has been purchased at the IHC Art Awards, reflecting a more than decade-long association with IHC.

This year Forté is the new sponsor of the IHC Art Awards People’s Choice Award. The decision to do so reinforces the recruitment company’s ongoing commitment to the creativity of IHC artists.

“The IHC Art Awards and IHC are dear to us,” says Forté Director Anita Murdoch, “so sponsoring the People’s Choice Award made perfect sense.”

The winner of the People’s Choice Award is chosen by public vote, with Forté presenting the prize pack, which includes $2000, to the winning artist.

Anita has a few ideas up her sleeve for the prize pack.

“I love that the money goes straight to the artist. But I heard they often end up spending it on supplies. So this year we want to put together a pack of amazing art supplies and the artist can spend the money on themselves.”

When Anita talks about the art on the walls around her, it’s clear she’s a bona fide art lover. She has a story to tell about each piece and is especially animated when it comes to talking about the IHC Art Awards works.

“The standard of some of it is incredible. I have so much admiration for these artists.

“I love seeing all the works every year. I love the variety. It’s in all kinds of mediums using all kinds of materials,” she smiles. “I especially love how proud the artists are when they see their art up there.”

Anita’s belief that art is a tool of connection is another reason for its prominence in the offices at Forté.

“We’re a people-focused business,” she says, “and every single person who comes through that door comments on the art. It’s a conversation starter.”

As it turns out, conversations with visitors have led to the size of Forté’s collection increasing. One candidate who came for an interview noticed the art and then gifted a piece they had bought at the IHC Art Awards a few years earlier.

And it’s clear that the collection at Forté will continue to grow. Anita and the team are very much looking forward to this year’s event.

“We go every year and bid… vigorously. I bought four pieces last time. We’re going to keep collecting. In a year, that wall could be full”.

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Caption: Forté Director Anita Murdoch with some of the company’s extensive collection.

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