Gow Langsford Gallery

There must be something I am missing about this gallery, so many great reviews, but when I went in earlier this year nothing impressed me all that that much. Actually some of the art even put me right off, for example there was a small sculpture made from metal, twisted into two arches and was not much bigger than the size of a helmet, priced for over $ 2000. This should not have shocked me, I have seen lots of expensive modern art in my time, but it does disappoint. Poor art overpriced gives art and artists a bad name amongst many other factors.
I was personally involved in the visual art industry for several years and the amount of times I had to defend the importance of art. Even in my first year of art school I recall being very young and optimistic and having a young soldier whom I had just met in a club when out with friends say (not ask), «well, what is that doing for the country?». I was stunned with his honesty and didn’t know how to respond at the time. That man may have been ignorant but he reflects the view of many people, that we can’t be ignorant of ourselves. If we want to value and celebrate the arts in our society we should reflect this through the art itself, and in our convictions behind the art we make, that I can now say with confidence.

First off, a tip. The real entrance for the exhibitions is on Kitchner Street, not Lorne Street as there are two entrances. I came here for the first time last year to see the Ian Scott Late Models exhibition. The gallery is very simple, as to not distract from the art I suppose and features several rooms, separate spaces to house different exhibitions, so it feels like you are moving through a house.
The Ian Scott exhibition itself was amazing, the images really drew you in. Not because of the nudity but the way the models were portrayed. Scott is so talented and there was nothing offensive about any of his art. I thought his work was brilliant, a mix of realism, abstract and conceptual pop art. You also get left alone to just wander around which is nice, I was for some reason a gallery worker to be shadowing me and attempting to show off their impressive knowledge of the artists and art in general. So need not worry, there is nothing pretentious about this gallery.

Yes. I’m very smart and cultured. Yes I’m very awesome and cool. Yes. I’m into art. Obviously I know all of the great art ‘haunts’. Gow Langford Gallery seems like a great art gallery to me. A wonderful and beautiful and thought provoking, curated collection of contemporary pieces by local and international artists. It’s usually exceptionally well-​curated. I don’t remember ever going to the Gow Langford Gallery and feeling like, «damn, this is some shit art.» It’s always pretty great art. It’s also helpful that it’s a warm and inviting atmosphere with extremely nice walls and floors. I agree with this place. It’s cool.

The Gow Langsford Gallery is a must-​see for locals and art-​loving visitors to Auckland.
The Gallery showcases contemporary local and international artists, and is often involved in international art events. Long-​established as one of Auckland’s most prominent commerical art spaces, the Gallery is set over two locations. The Lorne Street home of Gow Langsford is the larger space, and focuses on the Gallery’s staple of large-​scale sculpture and painting, but both are worth exploring, and sometimes exhibitions are shared between the two.
Together the two spaces of Gow Langsford contribute enormously to Auckland’s Art Precinct, and the Gallery also offers an impressive online stockroom (there’s a link on the website) that offers big names like Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Michael Parekowhai, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons.