In difficult financial times more investors appear to be turning to art.

Record levels of interest have been recorded for an auction tonight that has works up for grabs by New Zealand greats such as Tony Fomison and Don Binney, amongst others.

Webb's Director of Art, Charles Ninow, says it seems the stranger the world gets, the more relevant art becomes.

He says art is real and will never be worthless, unlike some other forms of investment.

Total turnover in the New Zealand auction market has more than doubled from its pre-pandemic levels.

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