Paintings

In early 2025, Gavin Hurley’s solo exhibition “Growing Up” wowed audiences at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington.  Curated by (then) director Jaenine Parkinson, the exhibition of works across painting and collage, dissected various historical characters who were held up as ideal exemplars during Hurley’s time growing up in late 20th century New Zealand.  A selection of these commissioned works will be presented for the first time in Tamaki Makaura as part of our new exhibition.

The exhibition centres on artist Rita Angus. “Locally Rita Angus, one of the small number of women painted by Hurley, has also been inspirational....the similarities in style between the two artists are apparent. Both favour orderliness restraint, coolness and an apparent lack of emotion.”  (Paul Diamond, “Gavin Hurley: Growing Up”, National Portrait Gallery of NZ catalogue publication)