Hamish McKay opened Hamish McKay Gallery at 50 Willis Street, Pōneke, Wellington in 1993. His vision has always been to show contemporary artists making visually exciting work that is also conceptually dynamic and culturally relevant, advancing the conversation of art here and internationally.
Initially, the Gallery’s focus was on New Zealand artists, but in the early noughts Hamish pioneered the exhibition of ground-breaking Australian artists in New Zealand. This expanded focus stimulated dialogue and exchange between artists across the Tasman; and commanded the attention of collectors and institutions in both countries.
The artists shown at Hamish McKay Gallery have gone on to become forceful names throughout Australasia — including Shane Cotton, Marie Shannon, Ronnie Van Hout, Mikala Dwyer, Jason Greig, Tony de Lautour, Robin Neate, Rose Nolan, Michael Stephenson, The Estate of L.Budd et al, Julian Dashper, Patrick Pound, Lisa Walker and Karl Fritsch. Hamish has advanced the cause of many of our great artists by working closely with leading collectors, public galleries and important art fairs here and in the United States and Europe.
During this time, the Gallery’s practice, research and outreach has continued to evolve. The physical space has changed from Willis Street to Ghuznee Street and now its central city site on Jessie Street. Recently, Hamish has also transformed his model from constant single shows of artists in his stable, to free-wheeling, speculative exhibitions of artists whose work he admires, whether new practitioners such as Chris Corson-Scott or Jamie Te Heuheu; or senior if insufficiently remembered artists like Tanya Ashken and Don Driver. Into this arena he also highlights the work of some of our remarkable modernists such as Billy Apple, Ian Scott, Milan Mrkusich, Gordon Walters or Gretchen Albrecht.
Hamish McKay Gallery has helped make viewing and thinking about contemporary art surprising and fun throughout Aotearoa. Thirty years of seeing in the future.
