Wellington Women's Gallery

The Women's Gallery in Wellington was a collectively established and run art gallery, showing only the work of women, that ran for four years between 1980 and 1984. It was founded by Marian Evans, Anna Keir and Bridie Lonie. [1]

History

The gallery first opened in January 1980 at 26 Harris Street. The first exhibition, a group show, opened on January 21,1980. The exhibition featured the work of Juliet Batten, Allie Eagle, Claudia Eyley, Keri Hulme, Bridie Lonie, Heather McPherson, Joanna Paul, Nancy Petersen, Helen Rockel, Carole Stewart and Tiffany Thornley.[2]

Exhibitions were often arranged thematically, engaging in issues that impacted women's lives. According to curator and art historian Anne Kirker:

'Mothers was undoubtedly the most significant project of this collectively-run enterprise. Accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue, the exhibition toured throughout New Zealand from 1981 and afterwards went to Sydney for the Women and Arts Festival (October 1982). In this country it was shown in community centres as well as galleries, in an effort to reach a wider audience. Many women who saw this show were deeply moved to recognise their own experience in art for perhaps the first time.'[3]

In 1981 the gallery moved into new premises at 323 Willis Street, where it remained until its closure in 1984. The decision to close was made at the A.G.M. in January of that year.[1]

References
  1. Evans, Marian; Lonie, Bridie; Lloyd, Tilly, eds. (1988). A Woman's Picture Book: 25 Women Artists of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Wellington: Government Printing Office. pp. 257–248. ISBN 0477013953.
  2. @devt (2016-06-09). "Why A Women's Gallery?". Spiral Collectives. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  3. Kirker, Anne (1986). New Zealand Women Artists: A Survey of 150 Years. Auckland: Craftsman House. p. 177. ISBN 976 8097 30 2.
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