The National

Fashion key icon. Galleries and museum key icon.
Fashion key icon. Galleries and museum key icon.

MondayClosed.

Tuesday11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Wednesday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Thursday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Friday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Saturday11:00 am – 3:00 pm.

SundayClosed.

141 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

0210 430 533

The National has been at the forefront of the contemporary art scene in Christchurch for over a decade. Recently celebrating its 10th birthday, the dealer gallery specialises in jewellery and objects by New Zealand and selected international artists. While jewellery has always been at the heart of the business, The National also showcases sculptural ceramics, glass and object based works.

The gallery’s imaginative exhibition programme changes monthly. Primarily a platform for solo jewellery exhibitions, carefully curated group and cross media exhibitions and collaborations also feature. The focus is on supporting artists to create new bodies of work and engaging new audiences. The pieces are often tactile and visitors are encouraged to touch or try on.

Founded by Caroline Billing, The National first opened its doors in 2004 in High Street and has existed in a number of iterations since. After the gallery was destroyed in the 2011 earthquake, Caroline remained dedicated to providing opportunities for artists to show and the Christchurch public to view and learn about art. This meant exploring innovative alternatives to the traditional gallery format. One memorable urban post-quake pop-up project was “Host a Brooch” in collaboration with jeweller Jackie Chan.

Happily the gallery has found a permanent home on Moorhouse Ave. Fittingly the space is a couple of doors down from Chambers 241 and Ronald Mottram Framers. The vast gallery space complete with polished concrete floors is minimalistic, highlighting the pieces on display.

Words by Anna Hoetjes & Photography by Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

141 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Nearby Places

Swoon Store

Customers browsing the shelves at Swoon Store Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Everything you need to know about this store is in the name.

Frances Nation Home

A woman browsing the shelves inside Frances Nation Home.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

A store devoted to celebrating beautiful, made-to-last daily wares from New Zealand makers.

CoCA

Footpath signboard pointing to CoCA, Centre of Contemporary Art in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Galleries and museum key icon.

CoCA is a slick and ultra-modern art gallery space in the centre of Christchurch.

Absolution Tattoo and Body Piercing

View of the counter at Absolution Tattoo and Body Piercing studio in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Galleries and museum key icon. Services key icon.

A contemporary tattoo and body-piercing studio in the Arts Centre.

Similar Places

Mod's Hair

A woman blow drying hair inside Mod's Merivale hairdresser in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Services key icon.

Let’s be honest – lovely as they both are – Merivale and Paris aren’t exactly twins. But thanks to Mod's Hair, the two places are connected just that little bit more.

Harakeke Florist

Dried flower wreath hanging on wall at Harakeke Florist in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Services key icon.

This one-of-a-kind floral shop by the seashore is the product of creativity and appreciation for native foliage, Sumner and the greater Christchurch community.

Absolution Tattoo and Body Piercing

View of the counter at Absolution Tattoo and Body Piercing studio in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Galleries and museum key icon. Services key icon.

A contemporary tattoo and body-piercing studio in the Arts Centre.

CoCA

Footpath signboard pointing to CoCA, Centre of Contemporary Art in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Galleries and museum key icon.

CoCA is a slick and ultra-modern art gallery space in the centre of Christchurch.