New Zealand’s premier international showcase for contemporary art, Auckland Art Fair (AAF) is back to ambitiously build on the success of 2016, once again showcasing the most interesting art from the Pacific-rim, at The Cloud on Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf in central Auckland, from May 23-27.
Established as the premier destination for Art that focuses on the wider Pacific-rim region, with New Zealand at the core, the Fair will see galleries and artists from Australia, parts of South-east Asia, the West coasts of North and South America and the Pacific Islands featuring exciting artists who draw on stories and experiences unique to this area.
A new initiative for 2018 includes Piki Mai: Up Here ^^, which will feature a small number of young galleries, artist run spaces or recent graduate exhibitions, featured on the mezzanine of The Cloud offering a snapshot of artists whose work could appear at future art fairs. The identity Piki Mai: Up Here^^ was developed for this new section of the Fair by NZ artists Yllwbro.
A highlight of the space and a world first will see University students from Australia and New Zealand exhibiting at the Fair, under the auspices of the art schools. Masters students from the VCA Access programme (an initiative supporting students of fine arts at the Victorian College of Arts, University of Melbourne) and graduates from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, will show as part of Piki Mai: Up Here ^^ and alongside other galleries showing the work of early-career artists.
New Zealand luxury accessories label, Deadly Ponies are the presenting partner of the inaugural Piki Mai: Up Here ^^ space at Auckland Art Fair. Deadly Ponies’ connections with art and artisans drew them to this year’s fair, and their dedication to unearth and support new ideas made them a perfect fit for Piki Mai: Up Here ^^. The brand’s Creative Director, Liam Bowden, will unveil new designs at the fair, and also undertake a commission project with one of the section’s hero artists.
2018 will also see the return of the Projects programme, with guest curators Gabriela Salgado, Artistic Director, Te Tuhi, Auckland, and Francis McWhannell, Auckland based curator and writer. The Project Programme’s intention is to showcase the exceptional quality and diversity of art made in Aotearoa and the Pacific region, presenting pieces by acclaimed international and NZ artists alongside works by emerging artists; while at the same time, adding another dimension to the Fair by presenting works which are less commercially focused.
Taking centre stage though of course are the selection of 42 highly respected galleries and their chosen artists to show at the Art Fair.
Image Credit (Left to Right)
1.Installation view of FHE Galleries stand at Auckland Art Fair 2016, photo courtesy of Jessica Chloe Gernat
2.Installation view of Sarah Scout Presents stand at Auckland Art Fair 2016, photo courtesy of Luke Foley-Martin
3.Installation view of STARKWHITE stand at Auckland Art Fair 2016, photo courtesy of Nikau Hindin
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