Montana New Zealand Book Awards - Lifestyle and Contemporary Culture - 2006 finalists

The Award went to How to Look at a Painting by Justin Paton (Awa Press)

The Art of Māori Weaving: The Eternal Thread / Te Aho Mutunga Kore Miriama Evans & Ranui Ngarimu (Huia Publishers)
This is a beautifully presented book featuring some stunning images and concise accounts of the concepts and values of traditional and contempoary Maori weaving. Featuring some of New Zealands foremost Maori expert weavers, The Eternal Thread: The Art of Maori Weaving celebrates innovation and development of weaving and plaiting as art forms in modern times while acknowledging the technology developed by weavers through the past centuries
(description from Huia Publishers)

How to Look at a Painting Justin Paton (Awa Press) Winner
Acclaimed art writer Justin Paton takes us on a journey of exploration through the centuries and across the painted world - from the luscious fruit of Italy's Caravaggio to the lonely landscapes of New Zealand's Rita Angus, the dazzling panoramas of America's Lari Pittman and the mysterious 'tombstones' of Japanese artist On Kawara.

Whether you're a keen art collector, a student of art, or just visit a gallery occasionally, this brilliant exposition of painting in all its forms will open your eyes to things you've never seen before.
(description from Awa Press)

I Had a Black Dog: His Name was Depression Matthew Johnstone (Pan Macmillan Australia)
Black Dog is shorthand for a disease the millions of people suffer from - depression. Artist and writer Matthew Johnstone, a sufferer himself, has written and illustrated this moving and uplifting insight into what it is like to have a Black Dog as a companion.