The Gallery of Helen Hitchings | Te Papa

Museum of New Zealand

Te Papa Tongarewa

Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

International visitor tickets

ExhibitionsClosed

The Gallery of Helen HitchingsTe Huarewa Toi o Helen Hitchings

Helen Hitchings’ vibrant dealer gallery was ground-breaking in its presentation of modern art and design in New Zealand.

When | Āhea

24 Aug 2016 – 26 Feb 2017

Where | Ki hea

Level 5

Cost | Te utu

Free exhibition

Ages | TE REANGA

All ages

In 1949, a glamorous trailblazer opened the first modern art-dealer gallery in New Zealand. Helen Hitchings (1920–2002) was just 28 when she began promoting future icons of New Zealand art and design including Rita Angus, Toss Woollaston, Colin McCahon, and Len Castle.

Hitchings created an informal, welcoming atmosphere in her Wellington gallery. She encouraged visitors – who had seldom seen modern art and design outside of magazines – to ‘look at and feel everything’.

Arthur Rex Dugard Fairburn, Curtain, circa 1950. Purchased 2015. Te Papa (GH017983).
In her gallery, Helen Hitchings wanted ‘to stimulate an awareness in a simple, practical way of the principles of good domestic design’. She spent a year searching for the country’s best modern works, such as the textiles, furniture, and art to your left.
She enlisted poet A R D Fairburn to supply hand block-printed fabrics. Inspired by Theo Schoon’s photographs of Maori rock drawings, Fairburn introduced a bright palette into the designs. Viennese-trained architect Ernst Plischke’s light, portable furniture encouraged flexible living. His harmonising of furnishings and architecture mirrored Hitchings’ integration of design and art.

Arthur Rex Dugard Fairburn, Curtain, circa 1950. Purchased 2015. Te Papa (GH017983).
In her gallery, Helen Hitchings wanted ‘to stimulate an awareness in a simple, practical way of the principles of good domestic design’. She spent a year searching for the country’s best modern works, such as the textiles, furniture, and art to your left.
She enlisted poet A R D Fairburn to supply hand block-printed fabrics. Inspired by Theo Schoon’s photographs of Maori rock drawings, Fairburn introduced a bright palette into the designs. Viennese-trained architect Ernst Plischke’s light, portable furniture encouraged flexible living. His harmonising of furnishings and architecture mirrored Hitchings’ integration of design and art.

Unknown, Interior of the Gallery of Helen Hitchings, 1949-1950, silver gelatin print. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0032).

Unknown, Interior of the Gallery of Helen Hitchings, 1949-1950, silver gelatin print. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0032).

Photo News Ltd (Wellington, N.Z.), Helen Hitchings with work by Margaret Garland, R.N. Field, Timaru Potteries to Hitchings design, First work of Leonard Castle, circa 1950. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0048).
The first Len Castle ceramic exhibited by Helen Hitchings is in the foreground of this photograph. Hitchings holds a jug she designed.

Photo News Ltd (Wellington, N.Z.), Helen Hitchings with work by Margaret Garland, R.N. Field, Timaru Potteries to Hitchings design, First work of Leonard Castle, circa 1950. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0048).
The first Len Castle ceramic exhibited by Helen Hitchings is in the foreground of this photograph. Hitchings holds a jug she designed.

Helen Hitchings, 'Bean pot' casserole dishes, 1949. Purchased 1993 with Charles Disney Art Trust funds. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (1993-0037-3/1-2).
Hitchings supported local potters, but also designed her own functional pieces. She commissioned Timaru Potteries to produce ovenware that was both attractive and affordable.

Helen Hitchings, 'Bean pot' casserole dishes, 1949. Purchased 1993 with Charles Disney Art Trust funds. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (1993-0037-3/1-2).
Hitchings supported local potters, but also designed her own functional pieces. She commissioned Timaru Potteries to produce ovenware that was both attractive and affordable.

Bristow Mawley, Portrait of Helen Hitchings, about 1950, gelatin silver print. Te Papa. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0066).

Bristow Mawley, Portrait of Helen Hitchings, about 1950, gelatin silver print. Te Papa. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0066).

Photo News Ltd, Helen Hitchings inspecting a self-portrait on display in her gallery, about 1950. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0060).
I’ve simply furnished an extremely large room, landing, and stairway with articles mainly designed and made for the project … the room has a yellow ceiling, white painted brick walls, two partition walls, of which one is dull blue and the other buff. It has grey doors, windows, and beams, and some terracotta shelving.
Helen Hitchings, 2YA Women’s Session interview, 1950

Photo News Ltd, Helen Hitchings inspecting a self-portrait on display in her gallery, about 1950. Te Papa (CA000124/001/0060).
I’ve simply furnished an extremely large room, landing, and stairway with articles mainly designed and made for the project … the room has a yellow ceiling, white painted brick walls, two partition walls, of which one is dull blue and the other buff. It has grey doors, windows, and beams, and some terracotta shelving.
Helen Hitchings, 2YA Women’s Session interview, 1950

Ernst Plischke, Zealandia Chair Company, W Kilby, Easy Chair, circa 1949. Gift of Dan and Emma Eagle of Mr Bigglesworthy, 2013. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (2013-0010-1)

Ernst Plischke, Zealandia Chair Company, W Kilby, Easy Chair, circa 1949. Gift of Dan and Emma Eagle of Mr Bigglesworthy, 2013. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (2013-0010-1)

Douglas MacDiarmid, Papa cliff pool with bathers, Taihape, 1947. Purchased 1993 with Harold Beauchamp Collection funds. Te Papa (1993-0037-7).

Douglas MacDiarmid, Papa cliff pool with bathers, Taihape, 1947. Purchased 1993 with Harold Beauchamp Collection funds. Te Papa (1993-0037-7).

Sir Mountford Tosswill Woollaston, The red shed, Jackson’s orchard, Mahana, 1943/48. Gift of Mrs M A Hall-Kenney, 1968. Te Papa (1968-0011-1).

Sir Mountford Tosswill Woollaston, The red shed, Jackson’s orchard, Mahana, 1943/48. Gift of Mrs M A Hall-Kenney, 1968. Te Papa (1968-0011-1).

Discover moreKia kitea ake

A large artwork filled with clouds of olive green and black paint. Adding to the surreal cloudscape are small, detailed drawings of decapitated birds’ heads, mountains, fantastical creatures and circular hiapo motifs that create small pockets of narrative.

Toi Art

Coming soon: Fresh takes and new favourites. You’ll find them in Toi Art.

Keep an eye on this page to see which exhibitions will be open from June 2025.

Opening soon

Reopening June 2025

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

=""

Dreaming of the modern – Helen Hitchings

=""

Lisa Walker: I want to go to my bedroom but I can’t be bothered

The 30-year evolution of world-renowned New Zealand jeweller Lisa Walker.

Closed

17 Mar – 22 Jul 2018

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

VIEW MORE ITEMS

Exhibition highlights

Taonga whakaatu

Thumbnail of Object: Textile

Textile

Arthur Rex Dugard Fairburncirca 1950GH017983

Thumbnail of Object: Interior of the Gallery of Helen Hitchings

Interior of the Gallery of Helen Hitchings

Unknown1949-1950CA000124/001/0032

Thumbnail of Object: Helen Hitchings in her gallery with sculptures and ceramics

Helen Hitchings in her gallery with sculptures and ceramics

Photo News Ltd. (Wellington)circa 1950CA000124/001/0048

Thumbnail of Object: Portrait of Helen Hitchings

Portrait of Helen Hitchings

Bristow Mawley1947CA000124/001/0066

Thumbnail of Object: The red shed, Jackson's orchard, Mahana

The red shed, Jackson's orchard, Mahana

Toss Woollaston1943/481968-0011-1

Thumbnail of Object: Papa cliff pool with bathers, Taihape

Papa cliff pool with bathers, Taihape

Douglas MacDiarmid19471993-0037-7

Thumbnail of Object: Easy Chair

Easy Chair

Ernst Plischkecirca 19492013-0010-1

Thumbnail of Object: Helen Hitchings inspecting a portrait of herself on display in her Gallery

Helen Hitchings inspecting a portrait of herself on display in her Gallery

Photo News Ltd. (Wellington)circa 1950CA000124/001/0060

SEE MORE HIGHLIGHTS

Get our newsletter

Stay in the loop about our wide range of events and exhibitions.

Follow us

Follow our social media channels for a glimpse behind the scenes at Te Papa.

facebook linkedin instagram youtube tiktok

Join Friends of Te Papa

Friends enjoy benefits and discounts including invitations to previews and private viewings.

Donate

Find out how you can support Te Papa through a donation or bequest by becoming a patron.