Contemporary art galleries

Contemporary ceramics, glass, and jewellery fans will be in their element at Avid. Representing some of New Zealand’s foremost artists in glass, ceramics, bronze, stone, and mixed media. The gallery has regular exhibitions of new work and carries a range of work in stock. Avid offers a highly personalised service, matching clients and collectors. Many of its artists’ works are held in public and private collections all over the world. If anything catches your eye, it offers a pack-and-post service throughout New Zealand and internationally.

Jhana Millers opened in 2018 on the first floor of a heritage-listed building on Victoria Street. The modernist space with its concrete floor and ceilings is the perfect backdrop for showing art. Up on the first floor it’s bathed in natural light. The gallery shows a range of largely New Zealand artists working in a range of mediums including painting, jewellery, video, and sculpture. The stable of new and emerging artists are already making waves in the art world with several securing shows in art institutions and winning awards.

A long-standing member of the Wellington art scene, Hamish McKay Gallery opened in 1993. The vision has always been to show contemporary artists that are conceptually dynamic and culturally relevant. An early decision to exhibit New Zealand and Australian artists has helped advance a cross-Tasman conversation about art. It’s also raised awareness of artists in both countries. Hamish McKay Gallery regularly participates in art fairs across Australasia. It enjoys exhibiting the work of new practitioners, little-known, and senior artists. 

Established in 1981, Bowen Galleries is one of the oldest galleries in Wellington. Owned by Jenny Neligan and Penney Moir, it has a long history of exhibiting the work of New Zealand and Australian artists. It supports a stable of both well-established and emerging contemporary artists. Its eye-catching exhibition window features a separate mini-show every two weeks. Inside, the main gallery provides more extensive suites of work. Surrounded by fashionable cafés on Ghuznee Street, Bowen Galleries is always a popular spot to peruse.

Established in 1968 the Peter McLeavey Gallery is steeped in the history of New Zealand contemporary art. The gallery made its name representing leading artists like Colin McCahon, Gordon Walters, and Toss Woollaston. Now run by Peter’s daughter, Olivia, the gallery has continued to build on its reputation for showing the work of influential New Zealand artists. Still housed in its original space on Cuba Street the gallery is filled with natural light from a large semi-circular window that looks out onto Cuba Street.

One of Wellington’s largest commercial art spaces, Page Galleries presents a regularly changing exhibition programme of some of New Zealand’s leading contemporary artists. The gallery specialises in historical art and valuations, as well as exhibiting and selling works by current New Zealand artists. The modern and thoughtfully laid-out gallery has polished concrete floors and multiple exhibition spaces. Page Galleries caters to the serious art collector along with those new to the art world. 

{Suite} on Cuba Street is housed in a historic turn-of-the-century building. It represents a wide group of New Zealand and international contemporary artists. Its schedule of regular exhibitions is complemented by a sculpture yard.

The gallery also has a dedicated space for acclaimed New Zealand photographer Ans Westra. Her huge archive of images, articles, and books dates back to the 1960s and acts as a fascinating social history record. 

Kura Gallery is passionate about supporting the growth of Māori and New Zealand art. The word ‘Kura’ refers to the red feathers worn by rangatira (Māori chiefs) and has come to mean precious or prestigious. A vast array of precious treasures are available including traditional and contemporary Māori carving, original artworks, unique jewellery, furniture, and pounamu (greenstone). It represents both established and emerging artists. Located just off Courtenay Place, Kura is a great place to purchase a gift or treasure for your own collection. 

Māori art has a strong voice on Taranaki Street. Ihorei aspires to champion Māori art and grow its value and visibility in Wellington. The gallery mounts new exhibitions every two months and collaborates with Māori artists to curate solo and group shows. You’ll see paintings in the gallery, along with Hei tiki (stone and bone carving), taonga Māori (jewellery), wood carving, and ceramics. Ihorei also works with tertiary Māori art schools to showcase student and teacher work.  

The name Ihorei can mean ‘leader or important chief’. The gallery recognises its artists as Ihorei — leaders in their art forms who teach people to be critical and push boundaries.