Yesterday I was on a mission to view as many art galleries as I could in the city, honestly I…read moredidn't get to many, considering the size of Auckland their isn't actually a great deal around. I have heard that Wellington is the 'art capital' which I look forward to visiting one day. So, Lonely Dog Gallery I heard about you from a previous Yelp review and decided to go pay you a visit. The work here is thematic, comical, fine art and well presented. It is obviously in a specialised market which I am pleased to see does good business - I took note of quite a few red dots (art that has been bought). Plus being in such a good location next to Britomart's transport centre in the hub of the city must mean a lot of tourism flow through. I was also relieved to find it easy to get to, unlike some other inner city galleries I couldn't even find the bloody door to get inI d Although I didn't but any of the art I did buy one of the cards of the art, for my eldest sister in mind, (a big fan of dogs), $5.00 each or you can buy them in packs. They have a description on the back which added to the appeal.

Lonely Dog recently moved down Customs Street a few hundred metres closer to Queen Street…read more Otherwise, it's still the exact same intriguing spot for a quick look as it's always been. For those that don't know, Lonely Dog is a sort of art phenomenon started by Kiwi artist Ivan Clarke who one day started adding human-esque dogs into his dramatic landscape works. It's a sort of weird comic book meets fine landscape art mix, and as such it makes for some pretty surreal stuff with all sorts of symbolic parallels drawn between the dogs and reality. Can't say I've ever bought anything from here, but it's a fun place to linger for a few minutes for a look if you're in the area.

Gorgeous Art gallery in the heart of Auckland! My husband and I enjoyed strolling the gallery…read moreduring a recent trip. I really enjoyed their Manet and Picasso pieces. If you have a few hours to spare, there's a really nice outdoor space to sit and read a book!

We had just finished eating on Queen Street and were wandering around the area when we stumbled…read moreupon this art gallery museum. We decided to walk in and I'm glad we did. The first floor is free and features several exhibitions, so we took our time roaming around. One of the main exhibits focused on Māori art, and we spent about an hour exploring the pieces and learning more about Māori history in New Zealand. It was genuinely informative and beautifully presented. There was also a display by a Korean artist on the first floor. I don't quite remember the theme, but the design of the house-like structure had some Chinese influences, which made it visually interesting. Overall, if you have some time to spare and want to cool off from the scorching sun, this gallery is definitely worth a visit. Bonus points for clean restrooms, too!

This name is deceiving, or perhaps I am just foolish! I have previously walked past this place and…read morehad always thought it must be 'upstairs' and would go in next time when I "have more time". Now I have made that time and I am glad I did. Downstairs is housed this great little community gallery. They change the exhibit every month and it is made up of an eclectic mix of work for purchase by established and emerging artists. The focus is on community and is linked to the Titirangi Community Arts Council. I was pleased to hear that sales have been up since moving to New Lynn in September 2012 and although they are only there temporarily for the next two years whilst Lopdell House gets a new look I am sure good things may come out of this relocation.

"You know, I'm no art critic. But I know what I hate. And I don't hate this." - C. M. Burns,…read morePowerplant owner. Never a truer word was spoken. Art galleries are pretty boring sometimes. I don't think Starkwhite could ever be described as boring, which I think is probably the most important thing for an art gallery, right? Starkwhite consistently displays work by artists who challenge their audience. Whether they're poking fun at something or maintaining a poker face, the work always has something to say. That's why I like Starkwhite and always go inside if they've got a new artist exhibiting. Best thing I saw there was this terrific sculpture piece that saw a tray of eggs drooping perilously over the corners of an empty doorway. It was bloody excellent. Probably one of the best contemporary art galleries in Auckland.

Beautiful inside and out. Great grounds to walk around with stunning, old, large majestic trees…read more Inside hosts several galleries for a variety of exhibits, quite an eclectic mix on display currently - Jan 2016. Particularly enjoyed the photographic two, one on Antarctica and the other a series of black and white portraits by M.Friedlander. These two shows are what lured me here in the first place, actually and the suggestion from a frienf that they also have a cafe onsite, the downfall was that the cafe was closed due to a coffee machine malfunction:( The current exhibition by contemporary Marc Blake was also really good, a talented artist with an eye for creative expression, colour and design.

This historic home located in Hillsborough's Monte Cecilia Park is a beauty. I came here only last…read moremonth after having lived in Hillsborough for 5 years and not knowing it existed. It is a lovely old home, high varnished wooden floors and rose ceilings. There is a cafe too, but rather than sit inside opt for the wide sweeping veranda, that is the best place to sit. As you walk down from the veranda is a small yard, there are some quite cool sculptures here and a pretty garden with some sculptures amongst the flowers. Around the back of the property are park benches and some massive palm trees, it is a stunning home. There are various exhibitions and events here so to find out what is on visit the website. Additionally there is an art store where you can buy works of art such as ceramics, glass and jewellery.

I really love this gallery. I tend to lose concentration quickly in places like this pretty…read morequickly, but this one is the perfect size to hold my interest. Big enough so you really get a feel for the exhibition, but small enough that you can be in and out in twenty minutes. I kind of just wish the girl working in there had explained the exhibition to me or even just asked if I knew what I was looking at or something. I was the only person in the gallery at the time, but all she said was, "there's more at the back and upstairs." So I was left to figure it out on my own by reading the blurb about the show and artist on the walls. I didn't love the exhibition that was showing when I went in there, so I'd really like to go back in a few weeks when there's a different one on, but the space itself I really love. I like the idea of exploring when I go in to an art gallery, going into different rooms and nooks and crannies and finding new things to look at and that's exactly what this place is about.

Black Asterix is another example of another small Ponsonby dwelling converted into a business…read morespace, clearly evident by the old fireplace structures left standing. And it's another example of Ponsonby's swanky art galleries. It's nice to see plenty of art in one space, but not when it's crammed in and repetitive works from one or two artists. The smaller floor level rooms don't have enough variety, nor are you sure which areas are "galleries" or for staff. I much more prefer the second level with works from Hannah Kidd and Chris Moore. The staff was friendly but only after his phone call and didn't offer any information on the works. Black Asterix tries, but doesn't quite achieve the opulence of a Ponsonby art gallery, though it definitely has the attitude required.

I'm so pleased I accidentally stumbled across this little gallery on Ponsonby Road; it's a small,…read morequiet but inviting space on the K' Road end of Ponsonby and showcases small but interesting exhibitions in its whitewashed rooms. I really like its current "Islanders" exhibition, which showcases the work of NZ sculptor Jo Torr. I'm really fascinated by fashion history and the exhibition provided a unique insight into how Polynesian culture inspired European dress during the early days of New Zealand's colonization, which I found really interesting. There are usually two exhibits on in the gallery at any one time: a small one in the window at the front, and the main one covering the rest of the gallery. It's a real shame the gallery isn't slightly bigger as, really, you couldn't spend more than about half an hour in there; but it's free and culturally enriching. I think it's really important for places like this to exist in any city and this one is great if you just want a quiet break from the noise of the city for a while, learn about stuff or just look at beautiful things. Exhibitions usually change around once every month or two.

The Gow Langsford Gallery is a must-see for locals and art-loving visitors to Auckland…read more The Gallery showcases contemporary local and international artists, and is often involved in international art events. Long-established as one of Auckland's most prominent commerical art spaces, the Gallery is set over two locations. The Lorne Street home of Gow Langsford is the larger space, and focuses on the Gallery's staple of large-scale sculpture and painting, but both are worth exploring, and sometimes exhibitions are shared between the two. Together the two spaces of Gow Langsford contribute enormously to Auckland's Art Precinct, and the Gallery also offers an impressive online stockroom (there's a link on the website) that offers big names like Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Michael Parekowhai, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons.

There must be something I am missing about this gallery, so many great reviews, but when I went in…read moreearlier this year nothing impressed me all that that much. Actually some of the art even put me right off, for example there was a small sculpture made from metal, twisted into two arches and was not much bigger than the size of a helmet, priced for over $2000. This should not have shocked me, I have seen lots of expensive modern art in my time, but it does disappoint. Poor art overpriced gives art and artists a bad name amongst many other factors. I was personally involved in the visual art industry for several years and the amount of times I had to defend the importance of art. Even in my first year of art school I recall being very young and optimistic and having a young soldier whom I had just met in a club when out with friends say (not ask), "well, what is that doing for the country?". I was stunned with his honesty and didn't know how to respond at the time. That man may have been ignorant but he reflects the view of many people, that we can't be ignorant of ourselves. If we want to value and celebrate the arts in our society we should reflect this through the art itself, and in our convictions behind the art we make, that I can now say with confidence.