New look for home of city's art classics

Overlooking the Auckland Art Gallery. Photo / Supplied

The $121 million building project to strengthen, restore and expand the Auckland Art Gallery is nearing completion.

By the middle of next year, the job will be finished. All the art will be placed and the new buildings finished before the Rugby World Cup starts.

In the next few months, Hawkins Construction will leave the site.

A roof shout was held with gallery staff, builders and consultants on May 28, a landmark on the job which involved significant engineering work - retention piling, soil nails and ground anchors under the historic buildings which date back to 1887.

Seismic strengthening of 1887 and 1916 components of the main buildings was required to bring the heritage structures up to current building codes.

Modern buildings have risen on the east and Albert Park side, filling in the space between the existing galleries, a U-shape until the changes.

Now, the 'U' has been filled in and expanded, giving 50 per cent more space to hang and display the 14,620 works of art in the gallery's collection.

Previously, it could show only 3 to 4 per cent of its collection at any time and often could not accept large exhibitions.

That prompted rich-listers Alan and Jenny Gibbs to found the New Gallery in 1995 in a former telephone exchange. The Auckland Art Gallery has been operating from there temporarily while its home has become a construction site.

Gallery communications co-ordinator Kate Orgias said many visitors did not understand what was going on but the finished structure was taking shape quickly.

"We want people to say they came to Auckland and say they went to the art gallery, just like they talk about other galleries in London and New York," she said.

The new Julian and Josie Robertson Galleries - named for the American billionaire and his late wife - will be on level one of the Kitchener Galleries. .

Mr Robertson yesterday opened his third New Zealand luxury tourism resort, Matakauri Lodge near Queenstown, adding to Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

The Robertson Collection of 15 works from 1875 to 1951 includes works by Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Salvador Dali Georges Braque, Andre Derain and others.

A new amphitheatre for public performances has been built on the northeastern side of the site.

The ceremonial entranceway has the largest glass facade in the Southern Hemisphere; the glass is still covered in a protective coating.

Behind that will be an expanded gallery shop and cafe.

Kate Orgias said Goldies and Lindauers were the most popular works but the expansion would offer people huge opportunities to understand more about the collection and appreciate it.

"Gallery staff are now researching, conserving and re-framing over 800 works from the collection to make sure they are ready for the opening," she said.

"The works will highlight the strengths of the New Zealand and international collection, both historical and contemporary, and acknowledge the many acts of generosity that have helped the gallery's collection develop."

"There will also be a number of permanent artist commissions and some temporary commissions that will enhance the building for its introduction to Auckland and to ensure the best possible experience for people when the doors open.'

More specific details would be given from early next year.