New Zealand
LOOK BEYOND THE LANDSCAPE
Aotearoa | New Zealand is known for its extraordinary landscapes. But there is another New Zealand waiting to be discovered — a culture of artists, makers, materials and ideas.
From contemporary jewelry and sculpture to weaving, ceramics, design and Māori material practice, artists across the country have developed distinctive ways of responding to place, history and the materials around them.
If contemporary jewelry and objects are part of the way you see the world, Aotearoa offers a fascinating place to look more closely.
Explore Aotearoa
Auckland — A long and important contemporary jewelry history, with a wide range of galleries, artists, makers and collections.
Whanganui — A remarkable centre for glass and craft, including NZ Glassworks and a wider community of artists and makers.
Wellington — The Dowse Art Museum, galleries and a strong contemporary arts and craft community.
Nelson — A creative region with jewelry, ceramics, glass and other craft practices, set within a landscape that has long attracted artists and makers.
Christchurch — The National and a range of contemporary makers, galleries and creative spaces.
Dunedin — A distinctive creative community with jewelry artists, makers, galleries and a strong design and craft culture.
These are just some of the places where jewelry and craft can become part of a wider New Zealand journey.
Meet the people behind the work
New Zealand's relatively intimate creative community creates opportunities for visitors to encounter artists, makers, galleries, collections and studios in unusually direct ways.
A jewelry or craft-focused visit might include meeting a maker in their studio, visiting a specialist gallery or collection, discovering a museum or exhibition, or finding people and places that don't necessarily appear on a conventional tourist itinerary.
This isn't a tourist “craft scene”. Aotearoa has an established and internationally recognised contemporary art, jewelry and craft culture — and one of the pleasures of visiting is being able to experience it at close range.
A distinctive jewelry culture
New Zealand has developed an internationally recognised contemporary jewelry movement, with artists working across adornment, sculpture, found objects, unconventional materials and conceptual practice.
The history is substantial. The Fingers cooperative has been an important part of Auckland's jewelry community for more than fifty years, while Workshop6 continues to support contemporary jewelry practice, education and studio work.
Artists such as Warwick Freeman, Karl Fritsch, Lisa Walker, Octavia Cook, Jane Dodd and Alan Preston have helped establish New Zealand's distinctive place within the international contemporary jewelry landscape.
And the story continues through a diverse and active community of contemporary jewelers, artists and makers working across Aotearoa.
Materials with a sense of place
Aotearoa's contemporary jewelry and craft practices are shaped by a strong relationship with material, place and identity.
Pounamu (jade), bone, wood, shell, harakeke (flax), metal, stone and found materials appear in very different ways across contemporary practice.
Māori knowledge and perspectives form an important part of this story. These connections can be explored through artists, makers, collections, galleries and cultural institutions, offering a deeper understanding of how materials, making and place come together in Aotearoa.
Mandy Flood, Fingers, Auckland
Warwick Freeman, Anna Miles Gallery, Auckland
Jennifer Laracy, Season Aotearoa, Auckland
Lisa West,Masterworks, Auckland
TRAVEL WITH ART TRAVEL
My name is Glen, and welcome to Art Travel.
I am a New Zealand-based art tour operator, creating experiences and tours around Auckland, New Zealand, Australia and further afield. I am proud to promote and advocate for our local artists, makers, museums and galleries to an international audience.
For visitors with a particular interest in jewelry and craft, I can help create a more personal experience of Aotearoa — whether you are travelling independently, with friends, or as part of a specialist group.
HOW I CAN HELP
Private jewelry & craft tours
Tailored day tours around specialist galleries, exhibitions, collections and makers.
Studio visits
Opportunities to meet artists and makers, see where work is made and hear directly about their practice.
Bespoke itineraries
Jewelry and craft experiences incorporated into your wider New Zealand journey, according to your interests and the time you have available.
Specialist group tours
Future New Zealand-focused tours for people with a particular interest in contemporary jewelry, craft and material culture.
FOR AJF MEMBERS
If you or your group are coming to New Zealand, I'd love to help you discover our jewelry and craft community.
Whether you have a day to explore Auckland or are planning a longer journey around Aotearoa, get in touch and let's see what we can create around your interests.
COME AND MEET OUR MAKERS
Planning a jewelry or craft-focused visit to Aotearoa?
GET IN TOUCH
Artists included in our slider:
Neke Moa, AJF Member at Masterworks Auckland;
Raewyn Walsh at The National, Christchurch
Stevie Houkāmau and Isaac Te Awa collab at Masterworks, Auckland
Layla Walters, Glass, Auckland
Masterworks back room;
Lisa West, Masterworks