Esteemed artist Gretchen Albrecht has produced a suite of 20 collaged monoprints inspired by the West Coast for our fundraising efforts at Te Uru. This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire work by an important New Zealand artist while supporting Te Uru's contributions to the growth of contemporary art in Aotearoa. If you would like to know more, or to arrange a private in-person viewing, please contact info@teuru.org.nz

Gretchen Albrecht has a long history with West Auckland, having lived in Titirangi between 1964 and 1982. Albrecht is the Honorary Patron of Te Uru Benefactors Collective (TBC) and a great supporter of the Gallery. We are honoured to work with her to deliver her first survey exhibition in 20 years, Liquid States, which reflects on works produced in the 1970s and 80s as embodiments of liquidity that convey nature and its flux. 

“There are two constants for those who live out west. The prevailing westerly wind (Te Hau a Te Uru—a powerful force for local people), and the setting sun (Tōnga o te rā, sliding down over the sea’s horizon in a glorious burst of colours). Out on Auckland’s wild west coast in winter, with its big skies and clouds whipped by the wind, the sea turns deep bluish-black, and the elements are a force to be reckoned with. Waves are white and foaming, cascading in gigantic rhythmic repetition. 

On another day, in summer, the evening slowly creeps up and the huge orb of gold drops down below the sea’s horizon through a sky flooded with pinks, reds, oranges, and yellows, which are reflected in the wet black sand as the tide goes out, or comes in. I have been sustained for the past 60 years by both these powerful forces, and these monoprints attempt to distill this.” 

—Gretchen Albrecht, 2024

Te Uru is Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s second largest public art gallery, situated in a stunning architecture-award-winning building nestled in the verdant surrounds of Titirangi. Te Uru is grateful for the core funding received from the Waitākere Ranges Local Board, which covers the cost of power, insurance, and staff wages for our small but committed team of nine. All other costs to deliver our world-class programme of exhibitions and events must be raised. This represents a shortfall of just under $300,000 per year for costs essential to running our six-story gallery. Funds raised from sales of this beautiful suite of works by Albrecht will enable Te Uru to continue to deliver robust exhibitions, which importantly offer artists such as her the space and time to develop, exhibit, and reflect on their work. 

Image: Gretchen Albrecht, Artist in studio Quay St, Auckland city, 1985, photo by Hannah Holm.