Parnell Art Gallery

Could you introduce yourselves to our community – what you do and how you got to where you are? 

Sally: I am the founder and co-director of Parnell Gallery which I established in 1976 at the age of 23. As co-director, I curate the two spaces within the gallery and work closely with our artists to discuss upcoming works for the gallery and exhibitions. When time allows, I enjoy spending time on the gallery floor with clients, talking about their interests and introducing them to our artists and their works. 

From a very early age, I knew I wanted to be involved in the arts and to have a gallery representing artists. By the age of 16, my sights were firmly set on making this happen, so I went on to gain a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Art History, from the University of Auckland before securing the lease at 263 Parnell Road, where we have been for very close to 50 years now. I grew up immersed in and surrounded by art, with a family that appreciated the arts and a mother who sculpted, painted, and created pottery. Going on to own a gallery felt like a natural progression and calling for me.

Anna: I’m one of the Directors at Parnell Gallery and Sally’s eldest daughter. Growing up, the gallery was a big part of my life; my sister Chrissy and I spent countless hours here after school and on weekends, watching as Mum’s passion for the arts shaped the gallery. From day one, I was immersed in the art world, and I feel fortunate to have had that experience. As an adult, I sought a broader perspective, leading me to a career in event and project management. After nearly six years in London, I returned to New Zealand, longing for its beaches, nature, and closeness to family. I continued working in project management for a couple of years before joining mum at the gallery in 2011, bringing my experience to the role of Gallery Manager. 

I soon realised that the gallery was where my true passion lay, so in 2016, I decided to buy into the business and become a co-owner and co-director. Mum and I enjoy a close working relationship, with distinct but complementary roles. I’m deeply passionate about the organisational and operational side of the business, overseeing our team of six across client services, marketing, photography, exhibition logistics, and daily operations that keep the gallery running smoothly. 

What brings the feeling of freedom into your life, and how does that feel for you?

S: Hands down, being in the natural environment. I'm drawn to the sky, the ocean, and the mountains. I would say I have an adventurous spirit and have always adored skiing in New Zealand and abroad. Anna and I have homes on Kawau and Aotea Great Barrier Islands which fill my need to escape the city.

I love being amongst the elements.  You’ve got to admire the beauty that exists in the natural world, and also respect its power. There’s such a sense of freedom to be found being amongst the ocean, sky, and mountains, and appreciating how insignificant you truly are in the grand scheme of things – being in nature offers valuable perspective. 

A: The ocean has always been my retreat. The moment I’m by the sea, I feel a profound sense of relaxation & freedom. Our family has had a bach on Kawau Island for as long as I can remember, a log cabin built by my father. Great Barrier Island, which has been in our family since 1989, is another treasured escape. Both places are remote and unpressured, offering a special kind of freedom where I can focus on the simple things in life and enjoy quality time with friends and family.

Working so closely with family in business is such a blessing and something we cherish here. Can you tell us about a special memory you’ve shared whilst working together as mother and daughter?

S: Both of my daughters have grown up in the gallery as I've had the gallery their entire lives. I have vivid memories of them doing their homework here while I tended to clients so the gallery has always been home to so many special memories. I've always liked to create a family environment with the staff at the gallery, but when Anna started working at the gallery full-time, it certainly felt even more so. Our Parnell Gallery Christmas get-togethers have always felt very special, particularly since Anna has been here, often with her children (my grandchildren) in tow. Last year, the team spent the day at Anna’s playing games on the lawn before devouring a Mexican feast. A few weeks later, as part of our Christmas treat, we all took part in a ceramic workshop run by one of our artists, creating platters we were all very proud of! 

When Anna and I work together we really do both bring something different to the arena and that’s something I do cherish greatly. 

A: To pin down just one is very challenging, but a recent exhibition stands out. Parnell Gallery has represented this particular exhibiting artist for over three decades - he’s become like extended family to us both. Over the years, he’s stayed at Mum's Great Barrier home to recharge and create, and his retrospective exhibition celebrated his last 30 years of work that had remained in his personal collection until this exhibition. Hosting this show was a true honour for us and it was so well received. The opening night was filled with laughter and tears as the artist shared stories of his journey and the gallery’s role in it. It was one of those rare moments when I could stand back from all the logistics and busyness of managing the gallery and fully appreciate how well Mum and I work together professionally and the special and long-standing relationships we have with our artists.  I felt incredibly grateful in that moment to share this journey with her.

Taking time to unwind and recharge is such a vital investment in your mental and physical health. What does a typical day look like, balancing a busy gallery with staff, family, and time for yourself? 

S: I love to start the day with a walk with my Border Terrier, Frankie, who is very much part of the furniture and family here at the gallery - she's taken on her own role as the ‘official greeter’ for clients as they arrive, and has been known to accompany visitors as they walk through the spaces and view works.  Then house admin - housework, getting ready, watering my plants. I am lucky to live close, just 4 minutes away from the gallery so there’s barely any commute.

Whenever time allows I’ll spend hours in the garden, gardening satisfies my need to move. I love growing vegetables that I can share and there is nothing nicer than preparing meals with your own home-grown. Anna tells me I'm an ‘active relaxer’, so it's a great place for me to unwind.

Self-care for me means heading to Barrier, to relax on the beach, plant fruit trees, tend to the gardens, and see friends over a glass of wine. I do love travelling and have recently returned from a safari in Africa (it was a lifelong dream to see the animals in the wild), last year in Canada skiing, and our own Fjords. I often travel to Perth, WA, to visit my other daughter and her family. 

A: A walk in the morning is an absolute must for me — this is my ‘non-negotiable’ time for myself. Life can feel pretty full sometimes, so walks are a great opportunity to recharge. It's my time for real thinking without distraction. Then comes the chaos of school mornings, getting my two children, Jack (10) and Charlotte (8), ready and out the door. On the drive to work, I indulge my obsession for podcasts — they’re perfect for feeding my curiosity, sparking new ideas, and discovering better ways of doing things.

My role in the gallery is more behind the scenes than Mum’s, I'm an organiser by nature so my days are busy managing the team and looking after the business side of the gallery - coordinating exhibition schedules and the day-to-day running of the business as well as regular contact with our artists.

My husband Cam and I juggle the pick-ups each afternoon and take them for their various activities and of course homework! To be honest, weekdays are family-focused where we prioritise quality time with the kids and each other. Over the weekends we are more social, catching up with the wider family and friends or heading out of town - typically to the beach as Cam is a keen surfer. We have just returned from a holiday in Samoa where we enjoyed so many new experiences together, partaking in some much-needed downtime, and making memories as a family.