After six years and more than 100 exhibitions in a shopfront on Ponsonby Road, Here favourite Public Record is moving – around the corner, into the gallery district between Great North Road and Putiki Street in Tāmaki.
Why have you moved?
We absolutely loved our Ponsonby space, but after six years it simply became too small for what I wanted to do next. I’m becoming more focussed on the gallery and dealer side of the business, working more closely with the artists I represent and giving their practices more space and support to develop. I wanted the opportunity to create larger exhibitions, installations and projects.
What appealed about the area?
When Trish Clark [the previous tenant] suggested this space to us, we came to have a look, and I immediately felt that the scale and history of the building had so much potential for Public Record. There is a long creative history here, and I feel very honoured to be adding another chapter to it. I like the idea of Public Record becoming a destination – somewhere people come to spend time with art, rather than simply passing through. I’d love the space to continue creating connections between Aotearoa, Japan, Asia and the wider international creative community.
What does the new space give you?
It gives us so much more room to think bigger. We can present larger-scale works and more ambitious exhibitions and installations, as well as talks, workshops, collaborations and other projects. It also gives me more space to work with the artists on a deeper level and to develop longer-term relationships with collectors and our audience. Most importantly, I hope it gives people a place to slow down, look closely and immerse themselves in art.
What have you changed in the space?
We’ve tried not to completely transform the building, but instead to work with its existing character and scale and make it feel like Public Record. We’ve created a more open and flexible gallery environment, with different areas that can adapt to exhibitions, presentations, events and smaller projects. There is also a more intimate retail and presentation area, which allows us to continue that part of Public Record without it being the main focus.
What will we see coming up?
We have a really exciting programme ahead, with solo and group exhibitions, new artists, joint projects, guest curatorial shows, international collaborations and opportunities to bring art into different contexts. We’re opening with Carmel Pollock’s debut exhibition, Deep Field, alongside work by Kara Burrowes and Peter Derksen. I want to keep Public Record fresh and evolving, bringing together different artists, ideas, materials, skills and cultural perspectives, while also creating opportunities for Aotearoa artists and their practices to reach further into the world.
Public Record
142 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
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