Mary-Louise Browne’s Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland Star, April 13, 1989, announcing the opening of Artspace Aotearoa with Mary-Louise Browne as Director. Image courtesy: Artspace Aotearoa.
Mary-Louise Browne’s Guide to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Mary-Louise Browne is a long-standing contributor to Aotearoa New Zealand’s art world, respected both as a practising artist, and the founding director of Artspace Aotearoa, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s foremost contemporary art space. Today she is best known for her role as director of Two Rooms, a leading art gallery representing several of the country’s most celebrated artists and hosting international artists including Basil Beattie and David Shrigley. As an artist, Browne is recognised for her award-winning public sculpture Byword, a series of nine stone benches along Lorne Street and Font, a pool at St Patrick’s Square, both in Tāmaki Makaurau’s city centre.
Two Rooms’ artists range from those still emerging to frequent contributors to the country’s major public galleries. Examples include the touring retrospective of Dame Robin White’s impressive 50-year oeuvre which opened in the distinguished Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand in 2022 and which will continue to tour until 2027, and the exhibition of Mark Adams’ momentous photography at Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery which coincides with Aotearoa Art Fair, 2025.
Mary-Louise Browne, Font, 2009 in St Patricks Square, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland City Center. Image courtesy: Auckland Council Public Art.
As someone actively engaged in many aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand’s art world, Mary-Louise is an apt contributor to the launch of Art Guides World, and we are thrilled to share her insights into the rich cultural fabric of the country with our readers.
☉ What is a significant Tāmaki Makaurau art world memory for you?
Being at school and visiting the Frances Hodgkins retrospective at Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery in 1969. This left a lasting impression on my young brain and for the first time I realised that women could consider a life as an artist on the same terms as male artists.
☉ Aotearoa is rich with public sculpture, including your own – what are some that stand out?
The list is growing as more sculpture becomes integrated into our cities. But my Auckland favourites are The Lighthouse/ Tu Whenua-a-kura by Michael Parekowai, Wind Tree by Michio Ihara, Marte Szirmay's Smirnoff and Martin Creed’s Everything is going to be alright neon atop the Christchurch Art Gallery. Anything, anywhere in Aotearoa by Ronnie van Hout.
☉ When hosting guests where are some of the places throughout the city you recommend?
In Auckland I would take overseas artists or visitors to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial in Orakei. I also recommend they go to Waiheke for wine and food and of course the West Coast, Piha, Bethells Beach and Alan Gibbs Art Farm for major international sculpture if they are lucky enough to get a booking.
