Grace Wright

All That Shines In The Dark (detail), 2021 acrylic on canvas 900 x 1600mm

b. 1992, Aotearoa New Zealand

The body is a key part of Grace Wright’s large-scale abstract paintings. Initially this is in the physical labour of her body producing these gestures, but also in the experience of the viewers own body, as they stand before her work. The intense layering of abstract gesture and ground evokes a rhythm found in music and dance. Planes of deeps browns, greens, and blues—offset by bright pastel tones—evoke a surreal atmosphere that could be a historical painting or a fantasy videogame landscape. Baroque techniques such as chiaroscuro lighting and intense diagonal force results in paintings that feel representational yet are purely abstract.

Gow Langsford Gallery has represented Grace Wright since 2020.

Final Fantasy (detail), 2020 acrylic on linen 1800 x 3660mm

About Gow Langsford Gallery

Gow Langsford is a commercial art gallery committed to fostering and promoting the best contemporary art from New Zealand and abroad. We represent a number of established and emerging artists, as well as offering key works from the secondary market.

History

The Gallery opened in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in 1987 as a joint venture between John Gow and Gary Langsford. Now in its fourth decade the Gallery has a long history of ambitious exhibitions and has established itself as a market leader in both the primary and secondary markets. Together Gow and Langsford pioneered the changing landscape of the New Zealand art scene and, while primarily focussed on Australasian work, the pair has enthusiastically sought to introduce local audiences to international art.

Gow Langsford first exhibited at international art fairs in the 1990s and notwithstanding the pandemic, art fairs remain an important aspect of its exhibition schedule. From the outset, the Gallery has shown large-scale sculpture which has become an increasingly significant part of its program.

Having worked at the Gallery since 2003, in 2020 Anna Jackson joined with Gow and Langsford becoming the third director. Jackson brings her own perspective and energy to the partnership.

Judy Millar, Michael Hight and Dick Frizzell are some of the original artists that joined Gow Langsford Gallery in 1987. Karl Maughan, Max Gimblett, Paul Dibble and John Pule also joined in the first six years; and all are still represented.

Alongside established artists the Gallery also continues to find and foster new talent. Through encouraging a greater understanding of each artist’s practice, Gow Langsford has produced many publications and monographs on gallery artists and continues to do so today.

About People

John Gow Gary Langsford

Anna Jackson Shona Irwin

Priya Patel Hannah Valentine

Cassandra Thompson Finn McCahon-Jones John Gow - Director john@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz

With extensive experience advising private collectors and acting as a consultant to corporate collections, museums and public institutions, John Gow is an expert in New Zealand art. Along with Gary Langsford, John is a founding director of Gow Langsford Gallery and was director of John Leech Gallery. Now with over thirty years in the industry, John has specialist expertise in historical New Zealand art and indigenous artefacts and a personal interest in collecting 19th and early 20thcentury photography, contemporary New Zealand paintings and sculpture, and post-contact Maori objects.

Gary Langsford - Director

gary@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz

Gary Langsford is a founding director of Gow Langsford Gallery and is also co-owner of design55, a design store specialising in limited edition furniture and objects. Gary has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture) and Art History from Elam School of Fine Arts, and has worked as a specialist in contemporary New Zealand art for over three decades. Increasingly focussed on the global art market he travels frequently to art fairs and auctions abroad, particularly in Europe and America. He has specialist knowledge in 20th Century Applied Arts and has a significant personal collection of art, objet d’art and furniture that reflects this expertise.

Anna Jackson - Director

anna@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz

Working closely with Gary and John, Anna manages the exhibition programme, staff, client services and Art Fairs. She oversees publications and online communications, and works alongside the artists in delivering exhibitions and events. Anna has a Master of Arts Management (2010) and a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Auckland University of Technology (2002). She joined as Director in 2020.

Shona Irwin - Group Accountant shona@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz Shona joined Gow Langsford Gallery in 2009 as Accountant. She is a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Priya Patel - International Operations Manager priya@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz As our International Operations Manager, Priya manages the logistics for the Gallery’s global affairs, including participation in Art Fairs as well as managing domestic freight and gallery databases. She also works alongside the Directors to deliver client services. Priya has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Arts (Hons), Elam School of Fine Arts (2011).

Hannah Valentine - Head of Design/Senior Advisor hannah@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz Hannah joined Gow Langsford in 2011. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts (2017) and a conjoint Bachelor of Fine Arts and Arts (Hons), from the University of Auckland (2011). She works closely with the Directors preparing exhibitions and publications, and in client services and is the Gallery’s in-house designer.

Cassandra Thompson - Front of House/Digital Content Manager cass@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz Cass assists with the general running of the gallery in the Front of House position and also manages the gallery’s social media, website and e-commerce platform. Cass holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies majoring in Interior Architecture (2011) and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Art History and Theory, and Classics (2015).

Finn McCahon-Jones - Gallery Logistics (Part Time, Wednesday and Thursdays) info@gowlangfordgallery.co.nz Finn assists with gallery logistics and art freight. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (hons) in Art History from Auckland University; Finn has a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the Auckland University of Technology (2003); and over 15 years’ experience working in the museum and gallery sector.

Gabriella Stead - Editor/Registrar gabriella@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz As Gow Langsford’s in house Editor, Gabriella manages gallery writing, supporting the delivery of our PR and publications, while also writing artist and exhibition essays. Gabriella looks after the day to day running of the gallery, and works closely with the directors to deliver client services. Gabriella holds a BA HONS in Art History (2016).

Imogen Cahill - Front of House Imogen@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz Imogen works front of house, both aiding in the daily running of the gallery and assisting in the writing and editing of artist and exhibition texts. She also works with the Directors to provide client services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from The University of Auckland (2014) and recently graduated from University of the Arts London with a Master of Arts in cultural studies (2020).

Credits

First published in 2021 by Gow Langsford Gallery

ISBN: 978-1-99-115781-2

Copyright © all authors and artists, 2021 All rights reserved

Design by Hannah Valentine for Gow Langsford Gallery Printed by Blue Star, Auckland

Cover Judy Millar Dusking (detail), 2020 2100 x 1550mm Photography by Sam Hartnett

Endpages, front and back James Cousins Untitled (detail), 2020 acrylic on canvas 1050 x 950mm Photography by Sam Hartnett

Page 2 Katharina Grosse Chill Seeping from the Walls Gets between Us, 2021 acrylic on fabric, 1050 x 2100 x 2000cm; digital prints on recycled polyester, 1000 x 3252 x 2147cm. Photography by Hanna Kukorelli. Courtesy HAM Helsinki Art Museum, Gagosian, Galerie Nächst St. Stephan Rosemarie Schwarzwälder and König Galerie © Katharina Grosse and VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2021

Right Sara Hughes 26-4-2020, 2.21.58 pm (detail), 2019 acrylic on canvas 1200 x 900mm

Gow Langsford Gallery

T: +64 9 303 4290 info@gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz www.gowlangsfordgallery.com Cnr. Kitchener and Wellesley Streets Auckland 1010, New Zealand