English artist Martin Creed to hold free talks in New Zealand

Martin Creed's visit comes as Christchurch Art Gallery commissioned one of his works to adorn the gallery building. Photo / Dave M. Benett / Getty Images

An artist who once fired up the art world with an installation of lights going on and off is visiting New Zealand.

English minimalist Martin Creed will give free talks in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington late this month and early October.

His visit comes as Christchurch Art Gallery commissioned one of his works to adorn the gallery building.

"I'm looking forward to Creed articulating how his work makes us reconsider things we take for granted," Christchurch Art Gallery Director Jenny Harper said.

One of Mr Creed's creations featured a video of people walking in front of a camera trained on an empty white space and either vomiting or defecating before walking away.

"...The art of Martin Creed veers between shock therapy and something quite a bit more tender. Either way it is direct, irreverent and also clownish, with, when it succeeds, an undercurrent of seriousness," The New York Times reported.

Mr Creed was visiting New Zealand to give a series of "animated and spontaneous talks about his work and life," a Christchurch Art Gallery spokeswoman said.

Mr Creed will speak at Auckland Art Gallery on September 30 before visiting Christchurch and Wellington next month.

Mr Creed won the Turner Prize in 2001 for an installation of an empty room with lights turning on and off.

A disgusted artist, Jacqueline Crofton, pelted the room with eggs in protest.

"What I object to fiercely is that we've got this cartel who control the top echelons of the art world in this country and leave no access for painters and sculptors with real creative talent," she told the Evening Standard.

• Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland, 6pm Wednesday September 30. Free. No bookings, limited seating. Doors open 5.40pm

• Christ's College Old Boys Theatre, 2pm Sunday October 4. Bookings: www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz/calendar/detail/martin-creed-talk/.

• City Gallery, Wellington, 6pm Monday October 5. Free. Bookings: citygalleryevents@wmt.org.nz.