About Us

Dr Lara Strongman, Head Curator

Lara leads the Gallery's curatorial team. She is an art historian with expertise in contemporary art. Her current research interests include contemporary photography, issues in public art, and art's response to situations of crisis. She writes on the relationship of art to the wider culture, and reviews television for Radio New Zealand. Lara's essay on the Christchurch earthquakes, 'A Song from Under The Floorboards', was included in the Auckland University Press anthology of great New Zealand nonfiction, Tell You What: 2015.

Felicity Milburn, Curator

Felicity works with artists on a wide range of projects, from temporary installations through to large-scale survey exhibitions, and writes regularly about art for the Gallery and for local and international publications. She enjoys working collaboratively with contemporary artists and finding new ways for audiences to connect with art in the process.  She is currently researching the work of New Zealand sculptor Grant Lingard.  

Peter Vangioni, Curator

Peter's primary interest is in historical New Zealand art and printmaking however he also enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with contemporary artists on exhibitions. His ongoing research of the permanent collection often informs the Gallery's exhibition programme which he helps shape with the curatorial team. His interest in hand-printed books has led to the development of an artist's book collection in the Gallery's library.

Ken Hall, Curator

Ken works as a curator with both historical and contemporary art. His skills include creating exhibitions for younger audiences, with a thematic, cross-disciplinary approach. Current research includes the provenance of historical works, including early British and colonial era portraits, in order to build appreciation of their globally linked storylines. His interest in architectural heritage, post-earthquakes, resulted in Reconstruction: conversations on a city, an award-winning outdoors exhibition and accompanying publication.

Nathan Pohio, Assistant curator

Iwi - Kati Mamoe, Ngai Tahu, Waitaha
Hapu - Tuahuriri, Rapaki, Arowhenua 

Nathan has worked on many exhibition projects with local, national and international artists, curators and writers and has developed a strong relationship with New Zealand's art community. Recently Nathan has been supported to curate Te Rua o te moko, his first role as curator, and this exhibition brings a distinctly Ngai Tahu focus to our reopening programme. Nathan is a long term board member of The Physics Room, a contemporary project space in Christchurch and a founding member of Paemanu, a trust established for the advocacy of Ngai Tahu Contemporary Arts.