Art for art's sake - Auckland

Republished courtesy of ACP Media. MetroLive

Discover some of the city's best galleries on foot or by bus.

Auckland’s best galleries and museums are spread far and wide. It’s nigh impossible to cover them all in one day, so we’ve created an easy, best of daytrip perfect for a winter Saturday around our favourite destinations - with a stop off for lunch, of course.

We started our trip on Ponsonby Road for brunch. From here, you’re within walking distance to any number of galleries, but time is of the essence, so head straight to Objectspace (8 Ponsonby Rd, ph 376-6216), a non-commercial gallery that focuses on craft and design. Current exhibitions include Tepeke Koura and Hats With Wings.

A quick jaunt around the corner to Karangahape Rd will bring you to some of the best galleries to enjoy both up and coming young talent as well as more established local artists. There are plenty to choose from, but we highly recommend Starkwhite (510 Karangahape Rd, ph 307-0703). The spacious gallery is, predictably, stark white in décor and directors Dominic Feuchs and John McCormack’s illustrious combined backgrounds in the New Zealand art industry result in a steady stream of excellent exhibitions, such as the ghost of an idea: bridges, waterfalls and hexagons, a collection of photography by Ann Shelton which is currently on show.

Michael Lett gallery (478 Karangahape Rd, ph 303-4211) is another popular contemporary art venue worth visiting. Recent exhibitors have included Michael Parekowhai and Hany Armonious.

At Artspace (Level 1, 300 Karangahape Road, ph 303-4965), you’ll find Martini Shot, an exhibition that showcases new artists Tim van Dammen, Clinton Watkins and Nova Paul, a selection that epitomize Artspace’s reputation for incubating new talent, particularly that which involves moving images and film.

Catch the Link bus ($1.60), which stops along Karangahape Rd (there’s one opposite Artspace). It’s a short ride down Queen Street to Wellesley St, where you can alight right outside the Auckland Art Gallery (corner Wellesley and Kitchener Streets, ph 307-7700), the largest public gallery in the City. A variety of national and international art, permanent and temporary exhibitions mean that the gallery has appeal for all tastes. When Metro visited, we particularly enjoyed the Love Chief exhibition, which brings together a variety of pop art style pieces, as well as the more traditional gallery fodder of A Lighter Touch – a collection of 18th and 19th Century European art, focusing on the Impressionists and Pointillists.

If you cross the road you’ll find the Gow Langsford (corner Wellesley and Kitchener Streets, ph 303-4290) which is among the City’s most well known and respected dealer galleries. Their roster includes both international and local artists. Currently showing is the photography of Frank Habicht, who shot the 60s rock scene in London – think Mick Jagger and Roman Polanski.

From here, it’s a hop, skip and a jump down the stairs on your left to Lorne Street. The City Art Rooms recently opened upstairs at 28 Lorne Street. Founders Kylie Sanderson and Young San Hun have created a space which embraces artists who delight in ‘risk-taking opportunities’. That means fresh talent and quirky installations – this gallery is one to keep a watch on. Current exhibitor Will Handley’s is a visually delicious commentary on religion – piles of pink plastic apples sit alongside more traditional oil paintings.

Close by, the Anna Miles Gallery (Suite 4J, 47 High St, ph 377-4788) is a comparatively new dealer gallery, which looks after contemporary artists from around New Zealand. Kristen Carlin’s paintings are currently on show here.

There are plenty of cafes on High Street to visit before catching another Link bus on Queen Street to the Domain in Parnell, where you’ll find the Auckland Museum. This imposing and beautiful building is home to plenty of national history type exhibitions, as well as temporary installations. Top picks? The Lee Miller’s War exhibition is a must-see. Ex-Vogue model Lee Miller was the muse of infamous photographer Man Ray as well as one of the first women to photograph the War from the trenches. Her photographs from WW2 sit alongside her beautiful art photography. Egypt: Beyond the Tomb ($12) also has eternal appeal – a genuine mummy and sarcophagus (coffin) are exhibited along with amulets and burial artifacts.

Note: it’s entirely possible to travel between most of the galleries on foot, but if you’re not feeling quite so energetic, we recommend buying a Daytripper bus pass and catching the Link bus between each destination. In most areas, parking can be a hassle, so in the interests of sanity (and the ozone layer), leaving your car at home is the easiest option.

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