Fresh perspective at Adam Art Gallery

Adam Art Gallery’s new curator Stephen Cleland talks about his favourite piece in the University’s collection.

Adam Art Gallery curator Stephen Cleland

“It’s a quiet observation of a subject conducting detailed research. While situated in a modest position en route to the stairs, it just seems really perfect here in the library,” says Adam Art Gallery’s Stephen Cleland.

The new curator at Victoria’s on-site gallery is referring to a 20-minute video installation projected onto the wall of a quiet alcove in the library. The video, created by Berlin-based Wellington artist Ruth Buchanan, depicts the back view of a woman researching on a microfilm at the British Museum.

It’s an unassuming work that Stephen says is one of his favourites from the University’s 500-plus art pieces dotted around the campus.

Staff, students and the general public will be able to see more of Ruth Buchanan’s work next year when the Gallery exhibits her new work. Art from two other Germany-based artists, Judith Hopf and Marianne Wex, will feature alongside.

Stephen comes to Adam Art Gallery from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, and says the move represents a marked change of pace. “As a purpose-built gallery with a nationally significant profile, we do really focus on the quality of the exhibitions at Adam Art Gallery,” he says.

There is a hierarchy, he says, in the quality and quantity of information presented to the public about art. Civic galleries have to appeal to the general public, while Adam Art Gallery focuses first on students, staff and alumni. “While our collections and exhibitions appeal to a broad public audience, we believe that these artworks are also highly valid to a broad spectrum of academic study,” he says.

Stephen enjoys the added challenge at Adam Art Gallery of working with just four other staff. “I’ve come from an organisation that had over 100 staff. In a smaller team, you have to be capable of achieving a lot of different things. It’s challenging, but I think it’s a wonderful opportunity.”