Adam Art Gallery, Wellington
Encyclopedia
The Adam Art Gallery is the purpose-built gallery
of Victoria University of Wellington
, New Zealand. Located in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, it is a forum for critical thinking about art and its histories as well as the professional structure within which the Victoria University Art Collection is managed. The original proposal for the Gallery was prepared by Jenny Harper and Christina Barton on 15 July 1997. The building was formally opened 21 September 1999, by his Excellency, The Rt Hon Sir Michael Hardie – Boys, GNZM, Governor General Of New Zealand, and made possible with the generous benefaction of Denis and Verna Adam, who the gallery is subsequently named after, and Victoria University of Wellington Foundation.
The gallery was designed by Ian Athfield
, who built on top of an existing "Culliford stair". It has an unusual design, being tall and comparatively narrow, a result of the hillside location. This means that there are many different gallery spaces, linked with open space. It has built a considerable reputation for its exhibitions, performances, lectures and talks that explore the full range of media available to artists, which aim to test and expand art form and disciplinary boundaries. The gallery is a remarkable architectural statement that is a vital feature of campus life at Victoria and a major force in the artistic life of the city and beyond.
Since opening in 1999, the Adam Art Gallery has presented a significant programme of exhibitions and events by local and international artists. Highlights over this period include solo projects by Joseph Kosuth (USA), Joseph Grigely (USA), Fernanda Gomes (Brazil), Zhang Huan (China), Destiny Deacon (Australia), Gunther Uecker (Ger), João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva (Portugal), Brett Graham (NZ), Mark Adams (NZ), Gavin Hipkins (NZ), Darcy Lange (NZ), Vivian Lynn (NZ), Billy Apple (UK/US/NZ). Substantial curated shows include Face to Face: Contemporary Art From Taiwan; Play: Recent Video from Australia and New Zealand; Concrete Horizons: Contemporary Art from China; Breaking Ice: Revisioning Antarctica; 40yearsvideoart.de, and The Subject Now. These exhibitions were accompanied by a lively programme of talks, workshops, forums and lectures. The gallery also regularly publishes catalogues to accompany its programme.
The Adam Art Gallery is free, and open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am – 5pm.
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
of Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
, New Zealand. Located in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, it is a forum for critical thinking about art and its histories as well as the professional structure within which the Victoria University Art Collection is managed. The original proposal for the Gallery was prepared by Jenny Harper and Christina Barton on 15 July 1997. The building was formally opened 21 September 1999, by his Excellency, The Rt Hon Sir Michael Hardie – Boys, GNZM, Governor General Of New Zealand, and made possible with the generous benefaction of Denis and Verna Adam, who the gallery is subsequently named after, and Victoria University of Wellington Foundation.
The gallery was designed by Ian Athfield
Ian Athfield
Ian Charles Athfield is a New Zealand architect. He was born in Christchurch and graduated from the University of Auckland in 1963 with a Diploma of Architecture. That same year he joined Structon Group Architects, and he became a partner in 1965...
, who built on top of an existing "Culliford stair". It has an unusual design, being tall and comparatively narrow, a result of the hillside location. This means that there are many different gallery spaces, linked with open space. It has built a considerable reputation for its exhibitions, performances, lectures and talks that explore the full range of media available to artists, which aim to test and expand art form and disciplinary boundaries. The gallery is a remarkable architectural statement that is a vital feature of campus life at Victoria and a major force in the artistic life of the city and beyond.
Since opening in 1999, the Adam Art Gallery has presented a significant programme of exhibitions and events by local and international artists. Highlights over this period include solo projects by Joseph Kosuth (USA), Joseph Grigely (USA), Fernanda Gomes (Brazil), Zhang Huan (China), Destiny Deacon (Australia), Gunther Uecker (Ger), João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva (Portugal), Brett Graham (NZ), Mark Adams (NZ), Gavin Hipkins (NZ), Darcy Lange (NZ), Vivian Lynn (NZ), Billy Apple (UK/US/NZ). Substantial curated shows include Face to Face: Contemporary Art From Taiwan; Play: Recent Video from Australia and New Zealand; Concrete Horizons: Contemporary Art from China; Breaking Ice: Revisioning Antarctica; 40yearsvideoart.de, and The Subject Now. These exhibitions were accompanied by a lively programme of talks, workshops, forums and lectures. The gallery also regularly publishes catalogues to accompany its programme.
The Adam Art Gallery is free, and open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am – 5pm.