Bringing New Zealand art to the US and further afield is our mission at The Art Precinct. With years of experience in creative, customer-facing markets, the US has been a key focus—a market that’s crowded, but hungry for connection.
A few weeks ago, I was in Los Angeles for a New Zealand Olympic Committee event at a Beverly Hills client’s home. Guests engaged with the art and its stories, and tears were shed after Dame Lisa Carrington’s speech, celebrating New Zealand’s incredible 2024 Olympic results: 18 gold, 12 silver, 10 bronze, finishing 11th overall. Not bad for a country of 5 million!
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- The hosts, Jill & Paul Brooks-Garnett, Rhys Darby and Rena Owen.
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- Dame Lisa Carrington presenting in front of a Virginia King sculpture.
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- Jill Brooks-Garnett welcoming LA city delegates and New Zealand Olympic Committee members on a stunning LA evening.
From LA, it was on to Palm Springs, where Hohman Gallery—a German-run space with a 50-year legacy—caught my eye. With my own German roots, we quickly connected and explored collaborations. Atlanta followed, showcasing Southern charm, and then Austin, where exhibitions collided with a surreal tailgating experience: 80,000 fans, burnt orange everywhere, and the chant of “Austin Fight.”
A day in Houston brought the inaugural ‘Untitled’ Art Fair, featuring galleries from both coasts and the Midwest. The fair’s style closely matched our own back home, offering exciting opportunities for future collaborations.
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- Lita Albuquerque, Michael Kohn Gallery
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- Centre Installation at ‘Untitled’ Art Fair in Houston
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- Installation with various artists at Mindy Soloman Gallery, Miami
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- Diana Orving at Carvalho Gallery, New York
Back in LA, I installed a Hollywood home project that had taken months of preparation. Using AR technology, the client previewed the pieces in 3D, at different times of day, ensuring everything landed perfectly. The result: a delighted client and a home enriched with original art—a reminder of why we do what we do.
Growing a small company from a small country with a big vision comes with its challenges—but also with incredible rewards. New Zealand might still be “the country the world just discovered,” but our art, our ideas, and our ambition are making waves far beyond our shores.
Stay tuned for more stories, and if you haven’t already, join our community. We love creating connections, and the journey is just beginning.