Driven by instinct, attitude, and a refusal to polish the edges, William Austin Gallery champions work that feels raw, urgent, and deeply personal — art that reflects the world while holding tight to the artist’s own voice.
We spoke with Billy Bartley about the energy of bringing intergenerational practices into conversation, and the importance of creating space, both physical and conceptual, for artists to challenge, connect, and be seen.
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Hariata Ropata-Tangahoe, In death all things become clear, 2009-19, William Austin
How would you describe the curatorial vision of the gallery, and how has it evolved over time?
I’d like to think the gallery has had a somewhat consistent vision over the five years. I’m drawn to work that relates to the world around us but shows the artist’s voice and experience within that — work that is rough around the edges and shows the making. Life isn’t always meant to be pretty!
Julian Hooper, New Leven, 2025, William Austin
The gallery recently shifted from Envy to William Austin – what prompted that change, and what feels different under this new name?
Moving to the new space I reflected on the name and the question “why did you call it Envy?” kept playing like a broken record.. Sometimes with genuine curiosity and sometimes with true disgust.. at the end of the day the old gallery felt like the ‘Envy project’ and the right time to move on. William Austin is my first and middle name, but not a name I go by, so it has a nice removedness to it. “Who the f*ck is William Austin?” is the new gallery slogan. The new space also gives artists more room to work with — a bigger floor area and four-metre-tall walls make for more versatility.
Hariata Ropata-Tangahoe, Mei Carkeek-Higgot, 2002, William Austin
What draws you to the artists you represent, and what qualities or practices tend to resonate most with you?
Works that have grunt and from people who truly believe in what they do.
In the context of the Aotearoa Art Fair, what do you see as the biggest opportunity for your artists and programme?
The art fair brings visibility — for spectators, gallerists and artists alike. Many of the artists I show are from Tāmaki, but the fair is an integral part of growing the gallery and connecting new audiences with the work. In previous years I’ve made connections that have carried through to the gallery in ways that would have taken much longer to build by staying in Wellington alone. At the fair, my aim is to represent the gallery’s programme – work that challenges and excites – for people to see an artwork/artist for perhaps their first time and to stop, to be delighted and curious.. to ask questions…
Rangi White, Dieu et mon droit, 2025, William Austin, Futures
Your booth brings together an intergenerational group of artists, what conversations or connections were you hoping to create between these different practices?
I like to think the older artists I represent enjoy being around the fresh energy of the younger artists in the stable, and vice versa — that the younger generation feels honoured to show within that lineage. It’s interesting to see work made thirty years ago alongside work made today. They may have some differences in appearance, but deep down they’re still trying to answer similar questions. People have always been interested in interrogating their place in the world and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.. It’s also a reminder that being an artist isn’t fuckn’ easy!
Anna Sisson, Pushing Back, 2025, William Austin
What’s happening next in the world of William Austin Gallery?
After the fair we open Hariata Ropata-Tangahoe’s first solo show with the gallery — an artist I feel privileged and lucky to be entrusted to work with. The work at the fair focuses on her historical pieces, while the Wellington solo will be mostly new work. All gallery artists will have a solo exhibition this year or early next year, and I’m also looking forward to working more closely with new(ish) additions to the programme — including Jack Hadley’s first solo exhibition in Wellington at the gallery later this year too.
Learn more about William Austin Gallery’s presentation at the Fair here
Aotearoa Art Fair returns to the Viaduct Events Centre from 30 April – 3 May. Tickets are on sale now.
