An art gallery with purpose

A former corporate high-flyer is among many for whom Covid-19 has forced a re-think of how to live the best life possible.

For Roisin King, and her partner Stu Fleming, that meant a move from Wellington to a place near the sea in Māpua. What they hadn’t imagined when buying the property, was owning, and running an art gallery.

The couple has just opened Purpose Gallery, in the Iwa Street property that once housed the Kereru Gallery.

“We looked at it and wondered how we might take our business and personal values to this type of business, never having run an art gallery before. The intention is to showcase top national and overseas talent in the fine arts gallery.

Golden Bay artist Robin Slow helped to open the gallery at a special event in late June, with a talk on the Artist’s Purpose, alongside Christchurch artist Nina Cook, who talked about fulfilment through art, and following a purpose.

Each artist ships their work globally, therefore carries a message about not only their work, but also about New Zealand.

“While tourists are not able to come to New Zealand, we can share our artists with the world, so part of our purpose is to build awareness and ship art to art lovers, and those who have fallen in love with New Zealand.”

Roisin was born in Dublin, raised in a small Irish community, and moved to London when she left school. It was the beginning of a long career in sales and marketing, business ownership and involvement in the corporate world.

She says it was a time in her life that forced her to analyse and question how to deliver value in any transaction, which she says comes down to people first.

She says Purpose Gallery exists foremost for the artists. It will soon launch a new service using their advisers to help art buyers make the best choices possible.

“We want to help our buyers choose art, so they know they’ve made the right decision.”

Roisin says art is about emotion, and while it’s great that some people choose to buy it to fit a particular space, sometimes art in the wrong place can dilute its power and potential.

“What if you focused on the emotion that art in your home creates, so you feel that emotion every time you pass it.

“If it’s in the wrong place then the emotion isn’t quite right.”

Purpose Gallery currently features more than 100 pieces of work from about 30 different artists, including former gallery owners Karen and Mike Walters.

There are plans to have exhibitions featuring three to five artists from a variety of mediums, including ceramics and 3D, and the public can book private visits to the gallery.

Purpose Gallery 5 Iwa St, Mapua | Ph 021 198 9291 www.purpose.gallery

Winter hours

Open to the public

Fri - Sun, 11am - 4pm.

Tues - Thurs, 11am - 4pm.

Closed Mondays.

Please book for private appointments.