Auckland Art Gallery

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Auckland Art Gallery is the principal public gallery in Auckland, New Zealand and has the most extensive collection of national and international art in New Zealand. It frequently hosts travelling international exhibitions.

Set below the hilltop Albert Park in the central-city area of Auckland, the gallery was established in 1888 as the first permanent art gallery in New Zealand. The building was originally designed to house not only the Art gallery but also the City Council Offices and public Library. Designed by the Melbourne architects Grainger & Charles D'Ebro.

The New Gallery, across the road from the main gallery, shows contemporary art. It is located in the former Auckland Telephone Exchange Building which was converted in 1995 into a rather daring fusion of Edwardian and contemporary architecture.

The collection, which began with a donation of manuscripts, rare books and 53 paintings from former colonial governor Sir George Grey, includes over 12,500 works. Many New Zealand and Pacific artists are represented, as well as European material from the Middle Ages to the present day. Notable New Zealand artists with extensive representation include Gretchen Albrecht, Marti Friedlander, C.F. Goldie, Frances Hodgkins, Gottfried Lindauer and Colin McCahon. In most cases, at least some of these works were donated by the artists themselves.