City gallery opens doors with major international artist after years closed

After two and a half years of renovations, Wellingtonians are finally getting their city art gallery back this weekend. 

The earthquake strengthening and refurbishments were completed alongside the full upgrade of Te Ngākau Civic Square precinct. 

It follows the reopening of Te Matapihi Wellington Library in March and the Town Hall set to open next February after 14 years. 

The completed project cost $12.3 million, under the original $12.5m projected budget. 

City Gallery director Charlotte Davy said: “Wellingtonians have really missed the building”. 

Davy said her aim was to provide a gallery locals felt was their own. 

“A place that they can come and nourish themselves through all the amazing ideas that artists bring but also that they feel proud of, that they want to show off to visitors that come and visit them.” 

City Gallery director Charlotte Davy knew Cornelia Parker was the right artist for the opening. 

Acclaimed British contemporary artist Cornelia Parker will open the gallery. 

Davy and senior curator Aaron Lister knew Parker would be the right person to help lift Wellington after “such a tough time” and a period of constant reconstruction and rebuilding. 

Parker saw her work as resurrections, such as Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View – a shed blown up with the help of the British Army, then pieced back together into something new by Parker. 

Cornelia Parker Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View, 1991. 

Parker said she was honoured to be a part of the resurrection. 

“It’s gone through some hardship, but comes out the other side feeling, you know, up rather than down. 

“These spaces have all been put back to their normal grandeur really, it is a pretty wonderful place to inhabit.” 

British contemporary artist Cornelia Parker is recognised globally. 

This was the biggest international art show held in Wellington since Covid-19, said Davy. 

She expected the exhibition would attract domestic and Australian visitors. 

Davy was excited to see ripple effects from the exhibition. 

“I know the creative community here is so excited, they know who she is already. 

“I think she will generate a whole lot of new thinking and new ideas and introduce new artists to her work.” 

Parker marks the beginning of the new era for the gallery with a three-year plan that includes international and local artists. 

Parker’s New Zealand connection stems from a residency in 2010 then a road trip around the country. 

Davy said without the upgrades Parker would not be able to display her work here. 

“It’s giving us a lot more versatility and ability to do different kinds of art in the building.” 

City Gallery Wellington is reopening after closing in June 2024. 

Parker said she was honoured to open the gallery. 

Her work from 1988 onwards, including pieces that have been hidden away for over 20 years, is on display from this weekend. 

To mark the reopening, the Civic Square will celebrate tonight with live music, DJs and refreshments. 

Grace Symmans is a Wellington-based reporter who covers news in the capital. Grace joined NZME in 2025 as a producer for Wellington Mornings on Newstalk ZB. She can be emailed at grace.symmans@nzme.co.nz.