The Gallery runs a programme of regular and special events, often related to the exhibitions throughout the year.
Most events are free of charge and open to all ages unless otherwise indicated.
Liz Stringer Intern and PhD candidate at Harvard University, Paul Johnston, will be speaking to his exhibition Portraits of Power / Portraits as Power, at the opening on 17 December.
Come and stretch your creative muscles by joining one of our most popular and long-running groups! Come on down to the New Zealand Portrait Gallery for an afternoon of portraiture on the last Saturday of each month 1 - 3pm (dates occasionally subject to change due to holidays or exhibition changeovers).
These free portraiture sessions are for everyone - from the complete beginner to accomplished artists, and are relaxed, informal and fun. BYO own materials, or we also provide basic supplies here if you want to just have a go.
We're a friendly bunch - we don't judge and we don't peek (unless you want us to - always happy to share). See you there!
Come visit the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Friday 27 November for the opportunity to hear Grant Hall, curator of 'Star Gossage: He Tangata The People' and friend of the artist, in conversation with our director Jaenine Parkinson.
Grant and Jaenine will discuss Star Gossage’s work and artistic practice, as well as the curation of the exhibition. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions on Star Gossage and the exhibition.
The Curator Talk is an insightful introduction to the exhibition; make sure to pop it into your diaries now!
A conversation between author and curator Leonard Bell and Professor Daniel Brown will be held at the Gallery this Sunday 8 November at 1pm to close out the exhibition 'Marti Friedlander: Portraits of the Artists'.
Leonard Bell, author of 'Marti Friedlander: Portraits of the Artists' will discuss Marti’s work and life with collector and friend of the artist, Professor Daniel Brown.
It's not to be missed!
Free entry, all welcome.
Join us as we announce the winner of the 2020 People’s Choice Award.
The biennial Adam Portraiture Award is New Zealand’s premier portrait prize.
Take an online tour of the exhibition with guest curator Maria Brown
2019 Liz Stringer Curatorial Intern Georgie Keyes will talk about her exhibition, the thinking behind her choices, and will chat with artist Gina Matchitt abouit her work.
Free entry, all welcome!
The second in a series of talks by Adam 2020 finalists, Wairarapa (and Alaska)-based artist Stephen Lawrie will discuss his work, process, and life in Alaska and NZ.
Stephen Lawrie was born in Wellington in 1953. He first visited Alaska in 1973 and since then has split his time between New Zealand and Alaska where he is self-employed as a commercial salmon fisherman. Fishing has facilitated his artistic career in New Zealand and Alaska.
Image: Stephen Lawrie, Friday After Work With Emma 2017 (Emma Lowe), acrylic on canvas.
In the first of a series of talks by Adam 2020 finalists, Taranaki-based Artist Jana Branca will discuss her work and practice.
Jana's work has been recognised and exhibited by prestigious art institutions in South Africa and New Zealand. She is inspired by themes of the 'human condition’ and is particularly intrigued by ‘the flesh’ as a physical manifestation of humanity.
Image: Jana Branca, Gravity 2019 (Franco Branca), oil on plywood.
Feeling inspired by the artwork? Kids at a loose end? Come and take a seat at our art table and let your imagination run wild. Paper, pencils and crayons provided.
Join us as we take part in the Chinese Lunar New Year celecrations on the waterfront.
Bring the kids down to the New Zealand Portrait Gallery and follow the clues to find the answers to our scavenger hunt!
How many pineapples can you see? Who is the woman with the guitar? Where are the fried eggs????
Drop your completed hunt form at the front desk and go into the draw to win a fantastic prize hamper (drawn 3 February).
Family friendly and the first 100 people to complete their hunt get a yummy Sugar Mouse to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Free entry and all are welcome!
Image: Greengrocers were a very family business, 1920s. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington: 1/2–037502–G
Join us at the gallery at 10.30am for a screening of Cast Out:逐 by Wellington filmaker Matilda Boese-Wong. Matilda will also speak about the fim and hold a question and answer session after the screening. All welcome, free entry.
Cast Out:逐’ is a short documentary piece about a Newtown man, Kim Lee, who in 1903 was exiled to Mokopuna Island in Wellington/Pōneke harbour. It examines the issues that marginalised immigrants of Aotearoa faced then and now, while it sheds light on an often overlooked part of Wellington's/Pōneke's history. The wrongs enacted upon Lee cast an all too familiar shadow upon experiences of today's New Zealanders.
New Zealand born and raised film and documentary maker, Matilda Boese-Wong has a strong focus on broadening representation in our media landscape. As an Asian New Zealander she has felt deeply effected by the lack of diversity on our screens, and is striving to elevate voices that tend to be unheard in a genuine and compelling way. Throughout the past few years she has been involved in fiction film, documentary, music videos and commercial work. In March she will have completed her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Film.
