In a statement, Stanhope said it was an honour to rejoin the gallery, where she was principal curator and head of programmes from 2013 to 2017, and begin the next phase of working on how the gallery could offer value locally, nationally and internationally, while building on its exciting programme of exhibitions, educational activities and art-related events.
Dr Zara Stanhope begins work at Auckland Art Gallery on March 2.
“I look forward to working together to ensure our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and uplifting artists of Aotearoa, Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa and our region within purposeful public programming and in the collection,” she said.
Over her career, Stanhope has curated more than 50 exhibitions, including New Zealand’s presence at the Venice Biennale in 2019. She led the Asia Pacific Triennials at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art in 2018 and 2021.
She holds a PhD from the School of Art and Social Sciences at the Australian National University, Canberra and has been the commissioning editor of books including Ann Shelton: Dark Matter (Auckland Art Gallery) and The Māori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer’s New Zealand, co-edited with Ngahiraka Mason (Auckland University Press and Auckland Art Gallery).
Stanhope co-edited the book The Māori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer’s New Zealand.
When Stanhope starts work on March 2, she will be the fourth Australian-born director of the gallery in a row.
Her Australian predecessors were Chris Saines (1996-2013), Rhana Devenport (2013-2018) and Kirsten Lacy (2019-2025).
A gallery source noted that while several New Zealanders could have taken on the role, Stanhope’s strong background in the country and the respect she commands made her a fitting choice.
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