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

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

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It’s such a great thing that the gallery provides access to art for everybody through free entries. The exhibitions are great. I especially enjoyed the Walters Prize 2024 exhibition, where the work of four artists who’ve been nominated for the prize. Their works are amazing! What I see as more critical is “The Robertson Gift” exhibition, where the art from a New York ‘philanthropist’ couple is shown. It is definitely great, that the general public has now access to its impressive collection and I understand that the museum has no other option than to show its gratitude for this gift. But the circumstances underlying this are fundamentally wrong. Art with cultural significance belongs to the public and it shouldn't be on the ultra-rich to decide where and if it is shown publicly. A strong democracy should be able to democratize access to culture. Ownership entails obligations. We should not have to be grateful that billionaires fund the arts and provide their collections to the public when their wealth is taken from the public, to begin with. Nonetheless, thanks to the great work of the curators and museum staff that are behind these brilliant exhibitions.

Paul-Nikos GüntherPaul-Nikos Günther
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It is a visually enriching and culturally enlightening experience for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Located in the heart of Auckland's city center, the gallery is housed in a beautiful building that blends historical architecture with modern design. As the largest art institution in New Zealand, it boasts a vast collection of over 16,000 works, including national and international pieces that span from the 11th century to the present day. The gallery showcases a diverse array of exhibitions featuring historic, modern, and contemporary art, with a special emphasis on New Zealand and Pacific Island artists. Highlights include Maori and Pacific Island works, along with European painting and sculpture. The gallery also offers interactive and educational programs, making art accessible to all ages. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, artist talks, and workshops that enhance their understanding and appreciation of art. The Auckland Art Gallery is not just a place to view art; it's a dynamic cultural hub where art, history, and community converge, offering a unique and memorable experience in the heart of Auckland.

Victor LeungVictor Leung
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I literally Googled the night before to find out what was happening in the CBD for Matariki and saw that the gallery had a full day of workshops, performances, and events so popped in during Matariki to watch a couple of the scheduled performances and to attend the workshop on making a poi from fabric scraps. I live in the CBD but I've never really felt very connected to the gallery but after this experience I'll be visiting more frequently for sure. All the events were free which was really great. I was however expecting more food options - was hoping that The Hangi Shop was going have a food truck on site - hangi for lunch would've been the perfect end to my time at the gallery. I also attended Estrella this month (also for Matariki and also free) and I'm so glad I did. It was an absolute treat to experience the stunning performances. The music was just beautiful. I hope there will be more events just like this at the gallery this year. Coat check service is great and staff members are friendly and helpful!

Rachel SpencerRachel Spencer
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I've never been to any big art galleries before, so this was my first. It's got so many rooms, and the descriptions next to the art is so interesting. It wasn't busy whatsoever as we went on a workong day, and we almost had each room to ourselves. The Maori exhibitions were my favourite as they were very deliberate and there was so much history to them. I loved the Apollo statue by William Theed, even though there were a lot of cover ups on the face because of past damage. The gallery café was great too, and thw staff were friendly and helpful when we asked. The art here really brings out a vulnerability to the artists and viewers. Would 100% recommend visiting here.

HH
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I come here often. This is an amazing place where the building is it's own work of art. There is a range of art on display, including significant New Zealand artists. Thanks to the recently donated Robertson gift, there is now significant artworks from artists such as Picasso, Monet and Dali, free to see. Most of the gallery is free, but there are sometimes exhibitions that cost $20 or so. They keep their website up to date if you'd like to see what's on or coming up. There is an art area for children, cafe, and a gift shop. There is also a research library if you'd like to learn more about an artist. There are free guided tours at certain times.

Daniel MalyonDaniel Malyon
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A really lovely gallery. My only criticism is that the cafe overlooks the street rather than the park at the back. It does mean (at the time of our visit) the terrace at the back was fairly quiet and you could hear the birds sing in the trees. A daft comment would also be, that if you want to sit on the terrace seating, don't wear shorts, or have something to sit on... They're not really made for naked summer legs! 😂 We paid to see the Guo Pei exhibition which was beautifully laid out with plenty of room between exhibits. The shop is also really nice with some lovely souvenirs of NZ and the exhibitions for both the out of towners and the locals.

Jessica EyreJessica Eyre
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Overview

4.6(2.6K reviews)

Phone

+64 9 379 1349

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Website

aucklandartgallery.com

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