Sumer Art Gallery

It’s hard to miss. The building façade is painted in semaphore-like triangles of bright purple and white, located centrally on Beach Road near Britomart. This simple and striking exterior is, in fact, an artwork by celebrated Dutch artist Jan van der Ploeg. And it’s also the frontage for Sumer Fine Art. 

An exciting addition to Tāmaki Makaurau’s gallery scene, Sumer is a young dealer gallery that opened its doors here in Auckland in June 2023. Taking up residence in a 130-year-old former storehouse, they present a programme of contemporary art from artists working across Oceania and further afield. Expect exhibitions from a breadth of practitioners, ranging from renowned to emerging artists. 

Gallerist Dan du Bern first opened the gallery in Tauranga in 2018, seeing an opportunity to champion a swathe of local talent that lacked visibility within New Zealand’s established galleries. Since opening, the gallery has gained a strong following among art audiences from across New Zealand, Australia, and elsewhere. 

Sumer is artist-focused and shows a diverse range of work, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and performance. You name it, it’s probably there! They’re a gallery that prides itself on championing experimentation and diversity, showing work that they feel should be supported, collected, and enjoyed. 

As a commercial gallery, Sumer facilitates the sale of artworks on behalf of their artists. They also welcome audiences from all backgrounds to visit and experience the work for themselves. Entry to exhibitions and gallery events is always free. With a programme of up to 10 shows a year, along with involvement in various art fairs, there is always something fresh and exciting happening at the gallery.  

Sumer aims to become a new leading voice among galleries here in Auckland and aims to build a program that equals or betters the very best this city currently has to offer. And from what we’ve seen so far, Sumer is well on its way.