Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Dunedin Public Art Gallery is one of New Zealand's four major metropolitan art galleries. Established in 1884, the Gallery was New Zealand’s first Art Gallery and is renowned today for the richness of its historic collection and its close working relationship with major New Zealand artists. The Gallery houses a signifcant collection of New Zealand artworks covering the period from 1860 to the present. The collection also contains major holdings of historical European art, Japanese prints and the decorative arts. Historical works by renowned artists such as Turner, Gainsborough, Claude, and Machiavelli feature alongside the only Monet in a New Zealand collection and master works by Derain, Tissot, Burne-Jones and internationally acclaimed Dunedin artist Frances Hodgkins. The collection is fundamental to the Gallery’s exhibition programme, but many works of art are also sourced from other public and private collections in New Zealand and internationally. The Gallery presents a wide-ranging events programme of interesting lectures, floor talks, film and video screenings, performances and workshops. There are regular guided tours for key exhibitions or by arrangement. Located right in the heart of Dunedin, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery is within easy walking distance from a large number of hotels and on all major public transport routes. There are disabled facilities, the award-winning Nova cafe, a wonderful shop and free wi-fi in the Gallery foyer.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
288 reviews
Excellent
143
Very good
98
Average
30
Poor
10
Terrible
7
Kath B
3 contributions
Mar 2021
If you've seen Timothy Spall in the film Mrs Lowry and you're in New Zealand, you will want to do a weekend in Dunedin and go see one of only two of Lowry's works on public display in the country. The piece at Dunedin art gallery, Lancashire industrial scene, is a perfect depiction of people in Lowry's brilliantly simple form. In the film Mrs Lowry, his mother mocked his style. But see it up close as you can here and it's genius. Staff recommend checking the website before you come as the works are rotated. If it is not on exhibition, let them know a couple of days ahead and they will arrange a private viewling. IMHO, it's reason enough to visit Dunedin. Oh, they also have the only Monet on public display in NZ too. Go!
Written 31 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
10 contributions
Nov 2021
The art itself was fine, particularly the showcased antiques, which were spectacular, and i'm not even an "artsy" person. I didn't appreciate a staff member giving me the evils and glaring at me for trying to get a magnetic moon to work in the gift shop after others had failed which was not easy and even a friendly staff member approached myself and other customers and said she also found it difficult to work.
And then this highfalutin staff member proceeded to (for whatever reason) FOLLOW me around the entire gallery, quite literally stalking me and watching me the entire time. It made me extremely uncomfortable and for what reason I am unsure. It made the experience quite a negative one, when every time I was admiring an artwork i'd look behind me and she'd be staring at me from a few metres away, I hope that no other customers are treated in such a weird way.
And then this highfalutin staff member proceeded to (for whatever reason) FOLLOW me around the entire gallery, quite literally stalking me and watching me the entire time. It made me extremely uncomfortable and for what reason I am unsure. It made the experience quite a negative one, when every time I was admiring an artwork i'd look behind me and she'd be staring at me from a few metres away, I hope that no other customers are treated in such a weird way.
Written 13 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AllanJGJ
Wellington, New Zealand4,211 contributions
Dec 2020
The Gallery currently has two excellent exhibitions, Ralph Hotere and 'Style and Substance', both superbly curated. I've never been a fan of Hotere but the selection of pieces and the explanatory board made me look at him with new eyes. With an interesting range of materials and with pieces from a wide period of time it allowed for a greater understanding of his talent and his motivations. As for 'Style and Substance' - brilliant; particularly from the point of view of a Wellingtonian givenTe Papa's shameful failure in the area of European (and indeed New Zealand) painting. A wide variety of pieces arranged thematically in superb exhibition spaces, this was a joy to behold. Highly recommended.
Written 19 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirstin T
Glenfield, New Zealand67 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Downstairs is the traditional art gallery and reminded me very much of our European heritage with paintings very much of the classical styles. Landscapes tend to look like they were of England.
Upstairs is the modern art section. There seems to be a bathroom/ bedroom currently and the pieces are each quirky and interesting, perplexing and amusing.
Upstairs is the modern art section. There seems to be a bathroom/ bedroom currently and the pieces are each quirky and interesting, perplexing and amusing.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff1903
King's Lynn, UK1,472 contributions
Mar 2020
There are six galleries in the permanent collection representing different themes in painting. Most of the work exhibited is European or a similar style. There are some familiar names such as L S Lowry, Augustus John and Dame Laura Knight.
Upstairs are temporary exhibitions, modern and more experimental.
It is a bright clean and modern building with friendly staff and free entrance. Definitely worth a look.
Upstairs are temporary exhibitions, modern and more experimental.
It is a bright clean and modern building with friendly staff and free entrance. Definitely worth a look.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LandC46
Auckland, New Zealand264 contributions
Feb 2020
So often these days Art Galleries try so hard to showcase the new and the modern at the expense of wonderful and serious works from their archives. Not so in this case, thank goodness. While the upstairs gallery had new, and in one case quirky exhibits, the downstairs retained some lovely portraits and earlier works. And it was interesting to learn that the “quirky” exhibition was set up for each item to contain and be somehow linked to an item from the permanent holdings. The gallery itself is both free, and in an excellent location. It is a lovely building with smart facilities and interesting gift shop.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill B B
Sydney, Australia1,117 contributions
Feb 2020
A surpridisng collection of art by old masters including a Gainsborough. Many artworks dating to 14th- 15th C. Plus local artwork in the large 3 story gallery. Well worth a look. Free admission but donations welcome.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stewarts Vacation
1,543 contributions
Dec 2021
Entry is free so definitely wander into this art gallery situated on the Octagon even if you are short on time. The displays are varied and interesting, catering for all tastes from classic to modern. The staff were friendly and helpful.
Written 29 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart M
Auckland, New Zealand9 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
I liked the diversity of paintings and sculptures and audio visuals in the gallery. I took photos of about 25 different artworks and they were an intriguing mix. Particularly good were the 4 sculptures hanging above you as you walk in - viewed from each floor they look very different. The architecture of the building is really pleasant and plenty of wide spaces for these covid times.
Written 17 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Novageorge
Sydney, Canada56 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We were in Dunedin for a couple days and we made time for a visit at this public art gallery. This is one of the best public art galleries that I have ever visited. The gallery has a good mix of classic, modern, and alternative/installation art. Very attentive staff and a beautiful gallery store. My wife and I enjoyed the exhibitions and the Maori 'Bloodlines' murals on a couple of the hallways. The free full-size posters for each exhibit is a great feature: we took two of them back home.
Written 26 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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