Aotearoa Art Fair Announces Programme Line-Up of Talks, Tours, Installations & Activations

Published: Wednesday 18 March 2026

 

Top left to bottom right: Lisa Reihana, Sex Trade, Gift For Banks, Dancing Lovers, Sextant Lesson, 2017, Courtesy of Sally Dan-Cuthbert. Atong Atem The Hierophant, 2025. Courtesy of MARS Gallery. The Huxleys, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, 2021, Courtesy of MARS Gallery. Yuki Kihara portrait, Courtesy of Milford Galleries. 

 

Aotearoa Art Fair, presented in partnership with ANZ Private and Auckland Council Events, today announced the full programme of talks, installations, tours, curated sectors and experiences for its 2026 edition.

Returning to the Viaduct Events Centre from 30 April – 3 May 2026, the Fair will bring together 60 galleries and more than 200 artists, marking the largest presentation in its history, with galleries from New Zealand, Australia, London, and the Pacific.

Alongside gallery presentations, the expanded programme includes large-scale installations, artist talks, guided tours and conversations with artists, collectors, designers and curators, as well as the curated sectors Horizons, Futures, Paper and Wall House Party.

 

INSTALLATIONS & PERFORMANCE

Presented throughout the Fair, the Installations & Performance programme brings together a series of large-scale and immersive works that extend beyond the traditional gallery booth format.

Presented by leading galleries from Aotearoa and Australia, the programme includes works by Bill Hammond, Lisa Reihana, Yuki Kihara, Atong Atem and Lee Bae, alongside a live performance by The Huxleys.

Artists and artworks include:

• At the Fair on Opening Night, Thursday 30 April, The Huxleys will present Love is in the Air. The Australian artist duo are known for their flamboyant and highly visual performances that merge fashion, performance art and pop culture. Transforming the Fair into a moment of spectacle, their work brings movement, colour and theatricality into the exhibition environment. The Huxleys will also present a roving performance on Friday 1 May.  Presented by MARS Gallery.
   
• Lisa Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāi Tū) presents In Pursuit of Venus [infected]. Internationally recognised for her work across film, photography and installation, Reihana’s landmark digital panorama reimagines a nineteenth-century French scenic wallpaper to examine colonial encounters in the Pacific. Reihana represented Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2017 Venice Biennale and her work is held in major collections including Te Papa and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Presented by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Sydney, this immersive installation is its first appearance outside of an institution. 
   
• Yuki Kihara presents Dresstories I (O.002304), Dresstories II (O.002283) and Dresstories III (O.002295) (2026). The Sāmoan-Japanese multidisciplinary artist works across photography, performance and installation to explore identity, gender and colonial histories in the Pacific. Kihara represented Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2022 Venice Biennale with Paradise Camp and her work is held in major international collections. Presented by Milford Galleries, Dunedin & Queenstown.
   
• ​Lee Bae presents Brushstrokes (2024). The Korean artist is internationally known for his charcoal paintings and sculptural works made from burnt timber, exploring transformation, materiality and the relationship between destruction and renewal. His minimalist compositions draw on both contemporary abstraction and philosophical traditions connected to nature and energy. Presented by Gow Langsford, Auckland.
   
• Bill Hammond (1947–2021) presents Untitled [Wainui work 1] and Untitled [Wainui work 2] (c.1998). One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most influential contemporary painters, Hammond’s distinctive anthropomorphic bird figures and dreamlike landscapes explore environmental and cultural narratives. A pivotal trip to the Auckland Islands in 1989 shaped the imagery that would become central to his practice. His work is held in major public collections including Te Papa, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Christchurch Art Gallery. Presented by McLeavey Gallery, Wellington.
   
• Atong Atem presents A Facet For Every Turn by Atong Atem is a major photographic self-portrait sculpture printed on six silk panels and displayed at great height. The work combines portraiture and traditional craft to explore ancestral migration stories — particularly for the African diaspora — while challenging and reclaiming how African bodies have been historically represented through the Western gaze. The silk's lightness lends the images of women in custom dress. Atem has exhibited internationally at the Tate Modern, London, Rotterdam’s Wereldmuseum, Fotografiska Shanghai, Stadtgalerie, Germany and with PHOTO Australia, PHOTO Paris and at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).

 

TALKS PROGRAMME: LET’S TALK ART PRESENTED BY AON

A compelling line-up of artists, collectors, and cultural leaders comes together for Let’s Talk Art presented by Aon, bringing insightful conversations to the Fair. Talks include:

• Visible Mysteries: Art, Space, and Landscape in Aotearoa | Friday 1 May, 2026, 12pm

Landscape shapes how many people in Aotearoa experience art, space, and home. Interior designer Rufus Knight and art advisor Ben Ashley discuss how growing up in rural New Zealand continues to influence their creative practices. Using Colin McCahon as a starting point, they reflect on how landscape informs design, how art shaped by place is experienced in contemporary interiors, and what it means to live with such works.

• Kōrero: Contemporary Māori Art | Friday 1 May, 2026, 1:30pm

Rangi Kipa, Ngahuia Harrison and Chevron Hassett join Zoe Black for a conversation exploring their individual practices, together with the diverse and layered roles each has alongside their creative mahi. Through the kōrero, these talented ringatoi will share insights into their work on display at the Fair and how this is intertwined with other projects they are currently undertaking, including placemaking and civic developments, academic research and public sculpture.

• How to Start an Art Collecting Group (and Why You Should) | Friday 1 May, 2026, 3pm

What happens when art collecting becomes a shared pursuit? This conversation explores the rise of collecting groups in Aotearoa, from friends pooling funds to established syndicates reshaping how art is discovered and supported. Phillida Perry, Christine Fernyhough, and Anna Dickie share how groups start, function, and build meaningful collections, with moderator Ben Plumbly offering insights into long-term value and the secondary market.

• Building Legacies: Women Collectors, Galleries and the Stewardship of Art | Saturday 2 May, 2026, 12pm

How are women collectors shaping the cultural legacy of Aotearoa New Zealand? Moderated by advisor Catherine Asquith, this discussion brings together Natasha Conland (Senior Curator, Auckland Art Gallery), gallerist Sarah Hopkinson, and arts patron Lady Dayle Mace. Together they explore women-led collecting strategies, the role of galleries and curators in building enduring collections, and how thoughtful stewardship can support artists while creating meaningful cultural legacy.

• Art in Architecture: Nat Cheshire and Michael Lett | Saturday 2 May, 2026, 1:30pm
  Architect Nat Cheshire (Cheshire Architects) and gallerist Michael Lett (Lett Thomas Gallery) have collaborated for over a decade on residential and gallery projects exploring how we live with art. Since first meeting in 2012 at Bambina Café, their exchanges have combined architectural rigour with curatorial thinking. Together they have supported projects by Simon Denny, Michael Parekōwhai, and Martin Creed, shaping spaces where artwork becomes an essential part of everyday life.
   
• Collecting Today: Building a Collection with Purpose | Saturday 2 May, 2026, 3pm

What does it mean to collect art today, when everything feels faster, smaller, and more connected than ever? In contrast to collecting as a social activity or a focus on objects and design, this conversation centres on the individual collector, their eye, their instincts, and the deeply personal reasons we choose to live with art. Moderated by Graeme Douglas, podcaster of The Good Oil, Jhana Millers of Jhana Millers Gallery, photographer Nicole England, and Jessie Wong of Yu Mei explore how to begin collecting with clarity and confidence and how that approach evolves over time.

• Collecting Objects: Design Made to Collect | Sunday 3 May, 2026, 12pm 

Not all collectors start with paintings. Increasingly, it’s the designed object, the chair, the vessel, the light that captures both the heart and the imagination. This discussion, moderated by Kim Paton brings together jeweller Jasmin Scott, furniture maker Grant Bailey and Gallerist Jade Townsend to explore the growing appreciation of design as collectible art. Together they’ll unpack what gives an object lasting value, from craftsmanship and material integrity to the stories and ideas behind each piece. Expect a thoughtful, practical conversation about how to start collecting design (even on a modest budget) and how to see the art of the everyday object in a whole new light.

• Quiz! So you think you know about art? | Sunday 3 May, 2026, 1:30pm
  Back by popular demand, our annual art quiz returns with a fresh set of questions to test even the sharpest eyes. Guided by a panel of art world insiders – gallerist Francis McWhannell (Season), Artspace curator Bridget Riggir-Cuddy, and collector Andrew Wall, this entertaining game show style session will take you through curious facts, collecting insights, and unexpected stories from the art world, with quizmaster Charles Ninow. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply love great art, come along to learn something new, challenge your knowledge, and enjoy the lighter side of the art world with plenty of laughs along the way.
   
• Stories of Place : Three Artists in Conversation | Sunday 3 May, 2026, 3pm

What shapes an artist’s practice – materials, place, or the stories they carry? Join Caroline Vercoe (University of Auckland) in conversation with artists Salome Tunuavasa, Tania Major (Alcaston Gallery), Zhu Ohmu (McLeavey Gallery), and Tim Melville as they explore how identity, memory, diaspora and landscape inform their work. This lively discussion reveals how personal and cultural perspectives shape contemporary artistic practice.

 

CURATED SECTORS 

The Fair’s curated sectors return in 2026, highlighting emerging artists, collectible design and material-led practices through a series of focused presentations across the Fair.

 

HORIZONS PRESENTED BY CHAPMAN TRIPP

Presented by Chapman Tripp, Horizons highlights a new generation of artists from across Aotearoa and the Pacific. The 2026 edition features four curated booths led by Kristine Crabb, Matthew Galloway, Chevron Hassett and Becky Hemus, and is facilitated by Hemus, publisher and editor-in-chief of Current art magazine.

“This year, I invited three artists working across very different disciplines to each curate a booth within Horizons,” says curator Becky Hemus. “Together we’re spotlighting ten remarkable early-career artists from across Aotearoa and the Pacific. Each curator has selected artists whose practices they believe capture something defining about the present moment — and whose work they see shaping the future of contemporary art in Aotearoa.”

Presentations include:

• Curated by Chevron Hassett: Featuring Jimmy Ma’ia’i, Lolani Dalosa, Harrison Freeth and Chevron Hassett. This presentation brings together artists whose practices explore identity, material culture and contemporary Pacific perspectives through sculpture, installation and object-based works.
• Curated by Kristine Crabb: Featuring Bek Coogan, Danica Morunga and Ghastly Studios. Working across adornment, sculptural objects and installation, the artists explore ideas of beauty, nature and the interplay between past and future. Together their practices create a sensorial exhibition shaped by feminine power, creative instinct and the living presence of Papatūānuku.
• Curated by Becky Hemus: Featuring Nadia Marychurch. This focused presentation highlights Marychurch’s emerging practice, exploring material experimentation and contemporary narratives through new work developed for the Fair.
• Curated by Matthew Galloway: Featuring Ed Ritchie and Megan Brady. Bringing together two artists working across installation and sculptural form, the booth explores spatial dialogue, material experimentation and the evolving language of contemporary practice.

 

WALL HOUSE PARTY

Presented by Wall Real Estate, the Wall House Party brings together contemporary galleries working at the forefront of object-based practice, showcasing artists across craft, design and contemporary art. The presentation explores how the objects we live with - from ceramics and glass to textiles and sculptural works - shape the spaces of everyday life.

Participating galleries include Artor Contemporary, Kurutai Collective, Masterworks Gallery, Season, and MODCON, each presenting works that reflect the relationship between material, making and the domestic environment.

Highlights include Artor Contemporary’s group presentation exploring Māori cultural narratives through object-based practice and contemporary design; Kurutai Collective’s presentation of ceramics by contemporary Māori artists connected to Ngā Kaihanga Uku, Hineukurangi Collective and Te Ātinga; Masterworks Gallery’s presentation celebrating 40 years of fine craft in Aotearoa with works by Emma Camden, Wendy Fairclough, Shelley Norton, Louise Purvis and Christine Thacker and Season’s interdisciplinary presentation featuring artists including Nikau Hindin, Neke Moa and Raukura Turei.

Works on Paper

Works on Paper surveys drawing, printmaking, photography and editions, showcasing the diversity and accessibility of these mediums. Participating exhibitors include Artrite Screen Printing, The Colin McCahon Trust, Plomacy, PINKWOOD, CBD Gallery, PARKER Contemporary, PAULNACHE, and REDBASE Art.

Futures

Futures centres on emerging galleries and artist-run spaces, offering a platform for new voices and early-career artists. Showing for the first time are young galleries, including PEG Gallery, Astor Bristed, Plomacy and ANN PARKER GALLERY, alongside returning exhibitors Nasha Gallery, Railway Street Gallery + Studios and William Austin Gallery.

 

Artist Talks

Artist Talks return to the Fair bringing short, engaging conversations directly to the gallery booths. Artists share the stories, inspirations, and experiences behind their work, offering a rare glimpse into their creative worlds. With a diverse range of perspectives and personal insights, these talks provide a unique opportunity to connect with the minds shaping the art on display. Talks include:

• {Suite} (Wellington), Richard Lewer
• CBD Gallery (Sydney), Tracey Jones
• CHALK HORSE (Sydney), Oliver Watts
• CHALK HORSE (Sydney), Kauri Hawkins
• Railway Street Gallery + Studios (Sydney), Nicholas Pound
• Jhana Millers (Wellington), Ruby Wilkinson
• N.Smith Gallery (Sydney), Fiona Lowry
• N.Smith Gallery (Sydney), Joan Ross
• Michael Reid Galleries (Sydney + Berlin), Scott Perkins

 

Guided Tours

Discover the stories behind the artworks on a free guided tour of the Fair led by art experts. These relaxed and accessible tours reveal the ideas, inspirations, and standout moments across the Fair, offering a richer, more immersive way to experience the art on display.

• A Curators Top Picks of the Fair under $5000 with Anita Tótha - Arts House Trust
• Tour of the Fair in Mandarin with Mejing He
• Emerging Art Highlights with Becky Hemus
• How to Start an Art collection tour with Graeme Douglas
• First time to the Fair Tour with Linda Tyler
• Pacific Artist Highlights Tour with Dr. Caroline Vercoe
• Artspace Curators Pick of the Fair with Matt Hansen
• An Artist Guide to the Fair with Steve Carr
• An Artist Guide to the Fair with Sarah Smuts-Kennedy.

 

Fair Dining

The Fair’s dining spaces are presented in partnership with Savor Group, one of Auckland’s most loved hospitality teams, behind favourite restaurants such as Amano, Ebisu, Azabu, Non Solo Pizza and Bivacco. Visitors can relax, recharge and enjoy great food and drinks throughout the day, with Fair Bars and Cafés serving Champagne Pommery, Two Rivers of Marlborough Wine, Four Pillars Gin, Almighty Water, and ST. ALi Coffee. 

 

Opening Night

The Aotearoa Art Fair’s Opening Night, Thursday 30 April, 5–9PM,  is Auckland’s biggest art event of the year. Set on the glittering waterfront at the Viaduct Events Centre, this celebratory evening toasts Aotearoa’s vibrant art community and features a not-to-be-missed performance by the Huxleys. Limited tickets available.

 

Viaduct Harbour presents the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, in association with Auckland Live.

Complementing the Fair, the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, presented by Viaduct Harbour, returns for its second year. Free and open to the public, the Trail will present more than 20 large-scale works installed along Auckland’s waterfront, including sculptures by international artists Braddon Snape, James Rodgers, and a floating work by Gregor Kregar. The Sculpture Trail is proudly supported by Auckland Council Events and the city centre targeted rate. Full details of the Sculpture Trail will be announced in the coming weeks.

“This year’s programme reflects the growing confidence and ambition of contemporary art in Aotearoa,” says Sue Waymouth, Fair Director. “With more galleries, increased international participation, and an expanded programme of installations, talks and curated sectors, the 2026 Fair brings together artists, collectors and audiences in a way that simply doesn’t happen anywhere else in New Zealand. The Sculpture Trail – the largest ever presented along Auckland’s waterfront, offering a free art experience, alongside the Fair. Over four vibrant days, visitors can immerse themselves in the best contemporary art from New Zealand, Australia, London and the Pacific.”

With 60 galleries, over 200 artists, and 25 countries represented, the 2026 Aotearoa Art Fair promises an unparalleled contemporary art experience – an event for collectors, first-time visitors, and anyone curious about art.

 

Tickets are available at artfair.co.nz.