Gus Fisher Gallery
The Gus Fisher Gallery is an Art Gallery in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located in the Kenneth Myers Centre, a historic building restored in 2000 with the help of the gallery's patron, Gus Fisher (1920–2010).[1]
Until 2017, it was operated by the University of Auckland Centre for Art Research, which was established in 2005 to support and develop the academic and research activities connected with the Gus Fisher Gallery, The University of Auckland Art Collection, and Window. The gallery aimed to present a balanced and relevant programme of curated exhibitions of contemporary and historical art, which interrogates current visual arts knowledge nationally and internationally.
In 2008, The Gus Fisher Gallery was awarded Metro Magazine's Best Arts Institution in Auckland, from their annual Best of Auckland Issue.[2]
In 2018, Gus Fisher Gallery shifted its focus to contemporary art exhibitions with an emphasis on film and video work, reflecting the building's heritage as broadcasting studios.[3] The gallery closed in September 2018 and reopens at the beginning of April 2019, having undergone refurbishments.[4]
The Gus Fisher Gallery is free, and open Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 5pm, and Saturday 12pm - 4pm.
Kenneth Myers Centre
Gus Fisher Gallery is located in the former broadcasting building at 74 Shortland Street – now renamed the Kenneth Myers Centre to honour the father of principal benefactor, Douglas Myers.[5] The "strikingly original structure" built in 1934 is registered by Heritage New Zealand as a Category I building.[6]
Centre for Art Research (2005 - 2017)
The University of Auckland Centre for Art Research developed, supported and promoted scholarship, learning, and community engagement in the visual arts. It was an important platform for research at The University of Auckland and provided a public interface for engagement with the wider Auckland and New Zealand communities.
Established in 2006, the Centre was entrusted to manage and develop the University’s extensive and valuable art collection, to coordinate the busy exhibition programme of Gus Fisher Gallery, and to support and guide the student team that leads the activities of the online and onsite student-curated gallery, Window. The Centre also liaised closely with those other parts of the University engaged in similar or complementary activities with a view to maximising opportunities to profile key initiatives. The Centre was originally named the Centre for New Zealand Art Research and Discovery (CNZARD) but was renamed the Centre for Art Research in 2012.
In 2017 the Centre for Art Research was disestablished. Operation of the University of Auckland Art Collection, and Window gallery was transferred to The University of Auckland's Libraries and Learning Services.
References
- "Our donors". Ingenio. Spring 2008: 11. ISSN 1176-211X
- "Best Arts, Culture and Architecture". Metro Magazine. December 2008: 36
- "Our Kaupapa". www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz. Accessed 15 February 2019.
- "Current Exhibitions". www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz. Accessed 15 February 2019.
- "Our Donors". Ingenio. Spring (2008). 10. ISSN 1176-211X
- "1YA Radio Station Building (Former)". Register of Historic Places. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 27 July 2016.