About Oriel Gallery

Oriel Gallery opened in December 2003. Since then it has doubled in size and grown in reputation too. The gallery has a name for showing a distinctive selection of work by emerging and more established artists from throughout New Zealand.
My philosophy is quite simple; I show work that I like, that I think has artistic merit and that I think fits the style of the gallery. It's very subjective, very personal. The style I want Oriel to project is fresh and contemporary, accessible but unexpected. Our senses are so exhausted and jaded these days that it’s a joy to look at things that are original and created by hand, with care and even love.

People are often surprised to find a gallery like Oriel in a tourist town; we show very little figurative or representational work, no traditional landscapes, no jade, no shiny metal fish.

Visitors use the space as if it was a public gallery, taking their time, considering each painting or sculpture, browsing or sitting and contemplating. We welcome everyone whether or not they might ever buy a piece of art.

We love children coming to the gallery. Of course, we don’t want the little darlings to be tearing around crashing into the sculptures or swinging off the paintings, but leave children to themselves in a place like this and more often than not they get right into it.