Artist Talks

ARTIST TALKS

Hear directly from the creators in our popular Artist Talks Programme presented at the gallery booths. Artists will share the stories, inspirations, and experiences that shape their art, offering a deeper understanding of the ideas and concepts that bring their creations to life. Artist Talks are free to attend for all ticket holders. View the 2025 Artist Talks programme below. The 2026 Artist Talks programme will be announced in March 2026.

Artist Talks

Greer Clayton presented by Parnell Gallery

Friday, May 2, 2025

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Viaduct Events Centre

A discussion centred around painting the landscape in order to capture the ‘mood’ and ‘feel’ of a place.
Artist Talks

Artists in Conversation presented by Masterworks Gallery

Friday, May 2, 2025

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Join Isaac Te Awa, curator Mātauranga Māori at Te Papa Tongarewa, as he leads a conversation with a selection of artists on show, including Stevei Houkāmau, Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows and more.
Artist Talks

Nephi Tupaea presented by Tim Melville

Friday, May 2, 2025

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

A conversation between Tim Melville and Ngāti Kahungunu artist Nephi Tupaea.
Artist Talks

Teresa HR Lane presented by MD Gallery

Friday, May 2, 2025

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Join us to hear renowned Tai Tokerau artist Teresa HR Lane discuss her new body of work "Mine to Mine".
Artist Talks

Sully Paea presented by Fresh Gallery Ōtara

Friday, May 2, 2025

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Come and be part of an engaging Talanoa about the vaka of the wider Moana region with esteemed carver and artist Sully Paea. Through this insightful conversation, Sully will share his deep knowledge of vaka traditions, their significance, and their place within our communities.
Artist Talks

Edward Waring presented by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert

Friday, May 2, 2025

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Join Edward Waring, New Zealand-born Australian-based artist, as he discusses his unique approach to creating sculpture and design pieces.
Artist Talks

Louie Bretaña: Eat My Rice presented by Bergman Gallery

Friday, May 2, 2025

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

More than just a meal, Filipino artist Louie Bretaña shares a mouthful of stories and morsels of truth. Suspend Euro-colonial dining norms and practices and experience the Philippine food culture and history in full flavour and on its own terms by eating on banana leaves with our hands.
Artist Talks

Michael McHugh presented by Martin Browne Contemporary

Friday, May 2, 2025

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Please join us to hear Michael McHugh in conversation with Martin Browne.
Artist Talks

Nicholas Blowers presented by Nanda\Hobbs

Friday, May 2, 2025

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Nicholas Blowers explores his deep connection to both local and personal landscapes, discussing his methodology, process, and compositional practice to achieve his intricate depictions of nature. 
Artist Talks

Author Talk: Mark Forman

Friday, May 2, 2025

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Meet the author of 'Tony Fomison: Life of the artist'.
Artist Talks

Jack Hadley presented by Laree Payne Gallery

Friday, May 2, 2025

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Please join us for an in-conversation talk between Ruth Minh Ha (Curatorial Assistant, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki) and Gallery Artist, Jack Hadley.
Artist Talks

Vincent Ward presented by Milford Galleries

Friday, May 2, 2025

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Join Vincent Ward as he explores the origins of the works from the Palimpsest series: Forms reused or transformed into something new, yet carrying the ghost of their original form.
Artist Talks

Emma Hercus presented by Railway Street Gallery

Friday, May 2, 2025

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Emma will discuss her attachment to figurative works, the inspiration and compulsion to explore the characters that exist in her life, past and present.
Artist Talks

Jonathan Dalton presented by Nanda\Hobbs

Friday, May 2, 2025

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Discovering Universal Metaphors in Painting. Jonathan Dalton discusses the practice of harnessing universal metaphors in painting; symbols and arrangements that transcend time and place, speaking to a shared human experience and the construction of unique narratives.
Artist Talks

Heidi Brickell presented by Laree Payne Gallery

Friday, May 2, 2025

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Hear Heidi Brickell in conversation with Hanahiva Rose (Curator Contemporary Art, Te Papa) as they discuss the body of work Heidi has made for the Aotearoa Art Fair including the artists' unique approach to painting and the motifs which continue to re-appear within the work.
Artist Talks

Emily Parker, director of PARKER Contemporary

Friday, May 2, 2025

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

A discussion led by Director, Emily Parker, exploring the works on show and the significance of contemporary printmaking today.
Artist Talks

James Drinkwater presented by Nanda\Hobbs

Friday, May 2, 2025

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

James Drinkwater delves into his intuitive painting process, reflecting on how travel, history, family and lived experiences shape his dynamic compositions.
Artist Talks

Sully Paea Vaka Demonstration presented by Fresh Gallery Ōtara

Saturday, May 3, 2025

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Come and be part of an engaging Talanoa about the vaka of the wider Moana region with esteemed carver and artist Sully Paea. Through this insightful conversation, Sully will share his deep knowledge of vaka traditions, their significance, and their place within our communities.
Artist Talks

Nikau Hindin presented by N.Smith Gallery

Saturday, May 3, 2025

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Artist Talk with Nikau Hindin in the N.Smith Gallery booth, discussing her solo presentation for the Fair.
Artist Talks

Emily Hartley-Skudder presented by Jhana Millers

Saturday, May 3, 2025

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Join artist Emily Hartley-Skudder as she discusses "Petite Spa", her 2025 Fair presentation with Jhana Millers.
Artist Talks

Author Talk: Mark Forman

Saturday, May 3, 2025

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Meet the author of 'Tony Fomison: Life of the artist'.
Artist Talks

Robyn Penn presented by Artor Contemporary

Saturday, May 3, 2025

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Robyn Penn's new body of large works explores the visualization of energy through intuitive painting techniques and expressive mark-making.
Artist Talks

Leila Jeffreys presented by OLSEN Gallery

Saturday, May 3, 2025

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Leila Jeffreys will be joined by a representative from a local wildlife conservation agency to discuss the intersection of art and environmental preservation, and the vital role we all play in protecting New Zealand’s unique avian species.
Artist Talks

Emily Parker, director of PARKER Contemporary

Saturday, May 3, 2025

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

A discussion led by Director, Emily Parker, exploring the works on show and the significance of contemporary printmaking today.
Artist Talks

Elliot Collins presented by Black Door Gallery

Saturday, May 3, 2025

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Join us for a Meet the Artist and Artist Talk with Dr. Elliot Collins, where he will share insights into his practice and the deep connection between text, landscape, and memory in his work.
Artist Talks

Lottie Consalvo presented by Nanda\Hobbs

Saturday, May 3, 2025

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Exploring the invisible: Art beyond the physical. Lottie Consalvo explores the unseen, the internal, and the limitless. She invites viewers to engage with the subconscious, reflecting on the mind’s capacity to construct alternative ways of being and reject materialism in favor of mindfulness.
Artist Talks

Peter Gardiner presented by Nanda\Hobbs

Saturday, May 3, 2025

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Myth, landscape and the sublime. Peter Gardiner examines the relationship between landscape, history, and myth in his work. He explores how the natural world serves as both subject and metaphor, evoking themes of time, transformation, and the sublime.
Artist Talks

Katherine Throne presented by SANDERSON CONTEMPORARY

Sunday, May 4, 2025

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Viaduct Events Centre

Hear Katherine Throne and Dr Linda Tyler discuss Katherine Throne's practice and the power and importance of the flower in contemporary art practice.
Artist Talks

Prue MacDougall and Nan Mulder presented by Railway Street Gallery and Studios

Sunday, May 4, 2025

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Viaduct Events Centre

Light Reactive - a demonstration of the Intaglio solar plate printmaking process.