The Dowse Art Museum

The Dowse Art Museum Leading contemporary art museum with a changing programme of exhibitions and events.
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Located in central Lower Hutt, a short drive from both Porirua and Wellington city, The Dowse is a lively contemporary art gallery presenting the work of local, national and international artists. The Dowse is operated as part of the art & culture unit of Hutt City Council.

"One of these monochromatic costumes sits on a mannequin, even in stillness its clean drape holding the potential of mov...
17/06/2026

"One of these monochromatic costumes sits on a mannequin, even in stillness its clean drape holding the potential of movement [...] These are garments that play a trick on the eye, their plainness a disguise for radical ingenuity — and it is this mischief beneath the surface that makes them the perfect emblem of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘭 itself."

The brilliant Pip Adam on the work of Steven Junil Park featured in the May-Aug issue of 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘦.

That phrase —“mischief beneath the surface”— feels exactly right. Steven Junil Park’s garments are beautiful, otherwordly and quietly electric: objects that seem to be waiting for a body, a ritual, a transformation. Only a few days left to experience the magic for yourself: The Vessel closes this Sunday, June 21.

And if Pip Adam loves it, you just KNOW it's good. We are also extremely besotted with her description of The Dowse as "a space dedicated to the thresholds, playgrounds and dreams where fine art meets craft." 🤩We feel so seen.

// Pictured: Steven Junil Park, 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 (2021). Photo by Mark Tantrum.

Taking cues from Steven Junil Park's The Vessel, participants in last weekend's Attention Seekers workshop imitated shap...
14/06/2026

Taking cues from Steven Junil Park's The Vessel, participants in last weekend's Attention Seekers workshop imitated shapes and design to create these fabulous garments. Copying Park's ethos of low/zero waste design, they used fabric leftover from the installation of The Vessel to make these pieces.

They then headed to our Ans Westra exhibit, Jeetje, to take inspo from Westra's photos of protests. With the timeless slogans "Keep your politics out of our pants" and "Make love, not war," these pieces have been transformed into wearable banners, that can be worn to protest marches, sit-ins, occupations and rallies.

Special thanks to Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School costume construction tutor Amy Macaskill for leading the workshop.

Jimmy D's iconic silk mesh TRANCE top from the collection of The Dowse Art Museum (centre) looking incredible on display...
06/06/2026

Jimmy D's iconic silk mesh TRANCE top from the collection of The Dowse Art Museum (centre) looking incredible on display as part of COMMON MATERIAL at City Gallery Wellington, June 5-7 — a celebration of the creativity and ingenuity of Wellington's fashion community. Seen here hanging alongside other gorgeous pieces by and

The fabric, from Jimmy D’s ‘Tray Tables and Set Backs’ collection (2020), was designed in collaboration with James Dobson’s partner (DCJS), whose practice often explores the legacy of discarded and devalued objects. Composed of fragments of Chux cloth, staples, mosquitos and tea bags, the print is made from the detritus of an overseas trip that the couple took together, which was one part family holiday and one part debauched Berlin art party.

For more trash talk, join Dowse senior curator Chelsea Nichols leading a conversation with the brilliant Jimmy D, JPalm and Nathan Taare of .nz at 11am, Sunday June 7 at City Gallery on the realities of building a creative business in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. 🖤

Before Steven Junil Park even began designing the costumes for CONJAH's show DARK! DARK! DARK!, he was given a notebook ...
27/05/2026

Before Steven Junil Park even began designing the costumes for CONJAH's show DARK! DARK! DARK!, he was given a notebook that detailed a full character background. Each character, including a shapeshifting humanoid and a faceless elemental shadow, had a fully formed history, origin story, and world. Steven's role was just to clothe them accordingly.

This Saturday the Cunty Cryptids Club will be leading a worldbuilding workshop here at The Dowse, guiding participants through creating their own fantastical characters, and fleshing them out until they are completely developed beings.

If you are aged 15 or older and want to join the Cunty Cryptids Club in letting your imagination loose, register now for the workshop via https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/a-worldbuilding-workshop-with-the-cunty-cryptids-club-tickets-1989279042165?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please don't punch the art. Even when it's as tempting as the literal punching bag in Wayne Youle's 'Of Similar Or Equa...
26/05/2026

Please don't punch the art. Even when it's as tempting as the literal punching bag in Wayne Youle's 'Of Similar Or Equal Weight' (2017).

Adorned with a face resembling a racist golliwog caricature, the punching bag hangs beside a grinning counterweight painted in a pale skin tone. Although much smaller, it weighs the same as the larger bag.

Together, they form a tense visual duet, heavy with commentary on race, power and cultural pressure. Is it a metaphor for navigating the art world as a Māori artist? A reflection on bicultural identity in a settler-colonial context? Maybe. But it also asks sharper questions: who carries the weight? Who lands the blows? And who, in the end, gets to keep smiling?



// David Alsop from .co.nz will be hanging out at The Dowse on Thursday, May 28 from 11am-1pm, for anyone keen to stop by to chat about Ans Westra or Wayne Youle, both represented by Suite. Please don't punch him either.

Wayne Youle: Back in Five is on now at The Dowse Art Museum. 📸 Mark Tantrum.

A Worldbuilding Workshop with the Cunty Cryptids ClubSaturday 30 May, 11am – 2pmFor ages 15+Free | Registration Essentia...
20/05/2026

A Worldbuilding Workshop with the Cunty Cryptids Club
Saturday 30 May, 11am – 2pm
For ages 15+
Free | Registration Essential via https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/a-worldbuilding-workshop-with-the-cunty-cryptids-club-tickets-1989279042165?aff=oddtdtcreator

Using cryptids as a metaphor for indigeneity, Cunty Cryptids Club have been pioneering what it means to provide “de-colonial art spaces” for Takatāpui youth. Their recent works consist of Clothing alteration/world building workshops for indigenous youth all around the motu. In this workshop you will take the time to do the deep work of fully fleshing out a character before moving on to brainstorming their adornments with playdough and mask.

Have you ever found yourself arming your player in a video game and spending more time creating a character than actually playing? Did you draw your own Pokémon cards, creating creatures with awesome abilities and equally awesome style? Like the work of Steven Junil Park as seen in The Vessel, before a costume can begin being made, it needs a character. Whether that character is 10 foot tall and clad in a patchwork of recycled wool, or draped in violet silk, costumes convey a story and exist for a purpose.

In this workshop you might decide that you dream self flies... but what would your wings look like? If you lived under water would you have the tail of a mako shark or a seahorse? With the Cunty Cryptids Club’s guidance, you can be anything you imagine.

Handle with Care: Expert tips on storing and preserving family treasuresSaturday 16 May, 11am-12pmClothing, costumes, te...
14/05/2026

Handle with Care: Expert tips on storing and preserving family treasures
Saturday 16 May, 11am-12pm

Clothing, costumes, textiles, photographs, documents, books and jewellery are some of the items that get passed from generation to generation. At Handle with Care, Dowse Collections Manager Jo Wehrly will be sharing her expertise on how you can best handle, preserve and store these items in your own homes, to ensure their survival for future generations. Feel free to bring your beloved items along, antiques roadshow style (without the valuations) or just turn up for some solid advice.
RSVP via link in bio

What if we kissed in the cave beneath the glowing torso of Steven Junil Park?
13/05/2026

What if we kissed in the cave beneath the glowing torso of Steven Junil Park?

Casually draped over the back of a chair in a scene familiar in many homes, is this 1940s jersey, handknit by Aileen Sta...
12/05/2026

Casually draped over the back of a chair in a scene familiar in many homes, is this 1940s jersey, handknit by Aileen Stace. Donated to The Dowse by the Eastbourne Spinners, this jersey is the oldest collection item currently on display in The Parlour.

To learn how we keep our collection, handknits included, in pristine condition, and to get tips on how you can care for the treasures and taonga of your own, come along to The Dowse this Saturday for Handle with Care. Our Collections Manager Jo Wehrly will be sharing her expertise and friendly advice with you on how to keep your keepsakes safe from the ravages of time.

Bring along your treasures to discover simple, professional tips on storage, handling and preservation to care for your most loved objects and images.

Handle with Care: Expert tips on storing and preserving your family treasures
Saturday 16 May, 11am-12pm

We clearly love an oversized mug if these two new shows at The Dowse are anything to go by - whether it’s a papier-mâché...
11/05/2026

We clearly love an oversized mug if these two new shows at The Dowse are anything to go by - whether it’s a papier-mâché head of Robert Muldoon in ‘Ans Westra: Jeetje’ or a punching bag modelled after racist caricatures in ‘Wayne Youle: Back in Five.’ These new shows may dish a bit of cheek, but there’s always more than meets the eye.

‘Back in Five’ surveys twenty years of Youle’s sculptural practice. With his trademark playfulness and wit, Youle tackles big ideas—masculinity, fatherhood, colonial legacy, and bicultural identity. ‘Jeetje’ is Ans Westra like you’ve never seen before—from poetry readings in graveyards to spirited protests in the streets.

Photos by Mark Tantrum Photography Ltd

Address

45 Laings Road
Lower Hutt
5010

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+6445706500

Website

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