Little River Gallery

24/06/2025

These gorgeous ceramics by are new to our space, and we are all the better for it! This Lyttelton-based ceramicist uses multiple techniques to achieve her artfully finished vessels. Starting with a buff stoneware clay, porcelain slip is applied, her lovely illustrations are hand-drawn with underglaze pencil, and various ocean hued glazes finish the tumblers off to perfection. $68 each, soon to be on our website and available in store now - get in touch if you see something you love. ✨

19/06/2025

Mānawatia a Matariki! ✨
We are open our usual hours this weekend, perfect for a whanau outing; view our 25th anniversary exhibition + our wider range of amazing NZ art and design, and then grab something delicious to eat or drink at one of the many local options - Little River Cafe, or . 👌🏼
See you soon!

05/06/2025

When we approached Jacqueline Morren to exhibit in our 25th anniversary exhibition, never in our wildest dreams did we expect her to pour so much of her creative self into not one, but two incredible pounamu sculptures.

You may have seen Jacqueline’s progress reels and images of her working on ‘Ahakoa he iti he Pounamu’ (pictured) over the last few months on her socials. This hand sculpture, lovingly carved and worked skilfully from pounamu, is truly a breathtaking sight to behold. Elegant and remarkable, from conception through to the finished piece, ‘Ahakoa he iti he Pounamu’ (meaning ‘although it is small, it is precious’) is a true masterwork.

Jaqueline has shared the following words regarding ‘Ahakoa he iti he Pounamu’;

“Opening Oneself to one Self is the hardest thing to do” - Anish Kapoor

The human hand is so fraught with significance. It is evocative and can instantly transport you back to all kinds of memories. Whether it is of caressing hands from a mother, to being instrumental in inflicting pain onto others and everything in between.
I was given two 100% perfect hands until 3 years ago when l accidently injured my right hand. This injury caused the bone to die and l needed surgery. Needless to say, the implications it caused for someone making a living from working with their hands were significant.
In my case the longest road after recovery was to forgive myself for damaging this amazing tool of mine.
For this piece I set out to recreate the perfect right hand with all the compassion l could imbue into this tangible Pounamu sculpture. An offering hand and an extended invitation to Open Oneself to one Self. - Jacqueline Morren

~

You can view information about ‘Ahakoa he iti he Pounamu’ via the exhibition page on our website, along with Jacqueline’s second sculpture ‘Roimata - Teardrop’. Link in bio. We encourage you to make a plan to view Jacqueline Morren’s stunning work in person, on show in our 25th Anniversary Exhibition until June 23.

01/06/2025

This exquisite painting by Clare Reilly titled ‘Kōkako Feasting in the Upper Harbour’ is currently on show in our 25th Anniversary Exhibition and drawing many an eye in for closer contemplation.

One of the first artists we approached to be involved in this special exhibition, Clare works from a space deeply connected to our environment with a keen personal interest in conservation efforts across the country. Given our partnership with the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust for this milestone event, it seemed only fitting to exhibit one of this artist’s wonderful paintings as part of this show.

Clare’s work pictured harks back to a time when kōkako were populous throughout Banks Peninsula;

‘As the tide ticks in over the mudflats,
two Kōkako feast quietly in the upper reaches
of the Akaroa Harbour. Surrounded by dense bush
that grows from shore to skyline, their haunting calls
are added to the rich birdsong that rises into the air
around them. A time when the forest grew untouched
and the arrival of humans was yet to come.’
- Clare Reilly

Artwork detail:

‘Kōkako Feasting in the Upper Harbour’
Clare Reilly
Oil on board, white frame
1050 x 850mm
$11500

Get in touch if you love what you see. We ship nationwide and beyond and offer flexible layby terms.

Little River Gallery 25th Anniversary Exhibition
May 31 - June 23
Don’t miss it!! ✨

30/05/2025