Urban Art’s public displays celebrate an important occasion in the New Zealand art world

13 Nov 2024

Urban Art showcases two dimensional art created by New Zealand artists into city landscapes, via digital advertising panels, supported by Resene and courtesy of oOh!Media and their ‘Giving Back’ campaign. Their goal is to share these incredible works for the public to enjoy in up to 43 malls across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Until 8th December 2024, you can view works from Nō Konei | From Here. These displays are to celebrate and promote the re-opening of Te Whare O Rehua Sarjeant Gallery – one of the most incredible and important events in the local art world this decade.

Nō Konei | From Here, Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery’s opening season, runs until 11th May 2025. This expansive program showcases over 200 works spanning four centuries of European and New Zealand art history, now displayed in the gallery's newly extended exhibition spaces. The collection includes everything from classic gilt-framed paintings to contemporary art across various media.

Three of Urban Art’s public displays promoting Nō Konei | From Here, Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery’s opening season.

Nō Konei | From Here celebrates the diversity and significance of the gallery’s collection, featuring new commissions from artists with strong ties to the Whanganui region. Senior Curator and Programmes Manager Greg Donson explains that the works chosen reflect the unique heritage of the gallery, aiming to evoke a sense of connection to history, memory and artistic vision. He describes the gallery’s collection as “like a family” with its own "DNA, ghosts and mauri" – living pieces that spark conversations across time and artistic form.

Highlights include works from alumni of the gallery’s Tylee Cottage artist-in-residence program, active since 1986, alongside newly commissioned pieces from over twenty current artists. Featured solo projects by artists Matthew McIntyre-Wilson, Tia Ranginui and Alexis Neal explore themes deeply rooted in Whanganui, while a major retrospective of early New Zealand Modernist Edith Collier (1885–1964), curated by Jill Trevelyan, will also be on display from 9th November 2024 – 16th February 2025.

Nō Konei | From Here works from the collection of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. The display wall is painted in Resene Grenadier to highlight the new works. Urban Art's displays carry the same colour to reflect the exhibition. 

Edith Collier Early New Zealand Modernist, with walls painted in Resene Half Smalt Blue. 

Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery.

Gallery Director Andrew Clifford calls the opening season a tribute to the gallery’s legacy and an optimistic step forward, emphasising the importance of the Whanganui region in the wider New Zealand art scene and beyond. This re-opening marks a pivotal moment, celebrating both the gallery’s heritage and its future.

Be sure to check out Urban Art's digital advertising panels in malls throughout the country, and you'll find their arTVox programmes on Parliament TV, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Read more about Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery’s opening season. 

Published: 13 Nov 2024