As Aucklanders begin to trickle back to work, one’s mind turns to upcoming events happening closer to our heart. The Auckland Art Fair being one such item of interest. We all love a summer soiree, and what better way to celebrate our newly revitalised appreciation for all things Aotearoa than an Art Fair in the summer season of late February. If you didn’t make it out to the regions this summer, then the Art Fair is an excellent opportunity to experience the essence of our culture, with many out-of-town galleries and artists making the pilgrimage to Auckland for what is sure to be the event du jour of the season. Here is a taster of what to expect.
Wellington
Jhana Millers
Wellington’s newest commercial contemporary art gallery, independently owned and operated by former artist Jhana Millers. The gallery will be presenting a group exhibition of early career artists from New Zealand and Australia whose works explore the idea of place and also reference the antipodean gothic. Artists include: Harry Culy, Will Bennett, Tyne Gordon, Lucy O’Doherty and Ayesha Green.
Robert Heald Gallery
The well-known Robert Heald Gallery represents New Zealand’s leading contemporary artists as well as artists from Australia. For the Art Fair the gallery will be presenting the works by Brent Harris, Saskia Leek, Sam Rountree Williams, Jenny Watson and Dan Arps.
Bartley + Co
Exhibiting artists from Wellington and its surrounding regions since 2009. The gallery holds high-quality, critically relevant art in all media by emerging and established contemporary artists. The gallery will be showing work by Kelcey Taratoa, Helen Calder and Roger Mortimer.
Christchurh
Jonathan Smart Gallery
Well known for its stable of top-level contemporary artists. The gallery began 1988 with a view to market more challenging and experimental art to counterbalance the regions conservative art scene. At the art fair they will be presenting a solo booth of new Feather works by Neil Dawson.
Milford Galleries
The Dunedin- and Queesntown-based galleries are acknowledged as among New Zealand’s premier dealer galleries, representing New Zealand artists of international and national importance across a diverse range of media. At the Art Fair they will be featuring the work of Yuki Kihara, ahead of her presentation at the Venice Biennale, alongside a range of notable established and emerging artists.
Tauranga
Sumer Gallery
Established in 2018, Sumer is a commercial gallery that focuses on leading contemporary art from Aotearoa and abroad. Sumer is primarily Interested in artists with dynamic, innovative and challenging practices. The gallery will be showcasing the work of Yolunda Hickman, Zina Swanson, Jan van der Ploeg, Raukura Turei and Julia Morison, who is making a major new sculpture for the outdoor sculpture space at the fair.
Waikato
Laree Payne Gallery
Presented through Laree Payne Gallery from Hamilton’s main strip of Victoria Street, Laree Payne is showcasing artists Teelah George, Maioha Kara, Rachel Hope Peary and Chauncey Flay. The sculptural work of Flay can also be enjoyed in the Art Fairs new outdoor sculptural space.
