Description of the attraction
The Art Gallery is located in the heart of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, in Chivik Square. Opened in 1980, the Gallery has played a huge role in the establishment of Wellington as a capital. The Gallery occupied its current building only in 1993.
In 2009, a complete reconstruction of the building was carried out, which lasted a whole year. During the renovation, three more rooms were opened at the Gallery, including a hall for an exhibition of Maori and Pacific art objects, as well as a new lecture room. In September 2009 the Gallery was reopened to the public. The first collection after the reconstruction was the personal exhibition of the famous Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
The peculiarity of the Gallery is that it does not have its own permanent collection. Various works, united by one theme, are always exhibited here. Here you can also see solo exhibitions of world famous artists such as Kate Haring, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Tracey Emin, Sidney Nolen, Bridget Riley, Stanley Spensoer and many others. Also in the Gallery, the most famous New Zealand masters hold their personal exhibitions: Rita Agnes, Shane Cotton, Bill Hammond, Lawrence Aberhart, Ralph Hoter, Tony Fomison and others.
In addition to tourist visits, the Gallery hosts groups of elementary and secondary school students from all over New Zealand through the education program. In addition to standard activities for students, the teacher can choose the topic and course of teaching students in the Gallery. Also, lectures, master classes, meetings and talks are regularly held here.
In 1998, the Art Gallery organized its own foundation, which anyone can enter. Each member of the fund has its own advantages, the scope of which depends on the level of membership.
For those who want to relax and have a snack, the Gallery has a small cozy Nikau Gallery Cafe, located on the ground floor, in the open air.
