As Artbay Gallery turns 20, we caught up with founder Pauline Bianchi about two decades of vision, resilience, and creative connection.
On a winter morning in 2004, Pauline Bianchi woke from a vivid dream. In it she saw a name, a concept, and a logo. With no pen at hand, she sketched the design on the back of a receipt with lipstick and black eyeliner. That moment marked the beginning of Artbay Gallery, and the start of a journey that would place the Queenstown-based gallery group firmly at the heart of New Zealand’s contemporary art scene.
What began at Pauline’s dining table — with a phone book, a few business cards, and her background in HR and luxury retail — quickly grew into something larger. As a passionate art collector turned consultant, she had experience matching artists with clients and projects across the country before opening Artbay’s first gallery in the Mountaineer building. Its New York-inspired aesthetic set the tone, before a move to the waterfront transformed the historic Masonic Lodge into today’s boutique art space.
The ethos was clear from the start: to showcase a vibrant mix of New Zealand and international artists in a space that felt as welcoming as it was inspiring. “Art does change your life, and makes your house a home,” Pauline says. For her, the artists’ voices remain the soul of Artbay, an art hub that now extends across three waterfront galleries.
Over time as the vision expanded. Pop-ups in Auckland and Sydney paved the way for new ventures, including Lightworx Gallery, dedicated to fine art powered by light. From Sir Robert Jahnke to Max Patté, these works illuminate with innovation, inspiring audiences across the globe.
Soon after came the VIRUT Gallery, celebrating acclaimed Thai artist Virut Panichabuse. His intricate collage portraits — mosaics of thousands of magazine clippings — have garnered an international following for their blend of hyper-realism and raw emotion.
Today, all three spaces — Artbay Gallery, Lightworx Gallery, and VIRUT Gallery — stand proudly on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, drawing in locals and visitors alike. Each offers something distinct, yet together they tell a story of creative risk-taking and resilience.
Over two decades, Artbay has weathered shifting markets, recessions, and the disruption of Covid, while marking milestones and nurturing lasting relationships. At the centre are the artists — many of whom have grown with the gallery over 15 years or more — and the collectors who have become part of its extended community.
As the gallery group celebrates its 20th anniversary, it looks forward with the same spirit that defined its beginnings: bold, optimistic, and deeply connected to the transformative power of art. “It’s been a privilege to walk alongside our artists and our community,” says Pauline. “We’re proud of what’s been created — and even more excited for what’s still to come.”
To mark the 20-year milestone, Artbay will present an exclusive anniversary exhibition featuring a curated selection of new works by 20 of their longstanding artists.
The exhibition will be on show from 3 December 2025 until 21 January 2026.
Win an exclusive Queenstown art tour for two
To mark the 20-year anniversary of the Artbay Gallery Group, we’ve partnered with Artbay and Ayrburn to give away the ultimate art lover’s trip for two to Queenstown!
The prize includes:
— Return flights for two to Queenstown
— Limousine transfers
— One night’s accommodation at luxury lakefront apartments, Queenstown House
— A private tour of the exclusive 20-year exhibition at Artbay
— A lunch for two at Billy’s, part of Queenstown’s unmissable culinary destination Ayrburn
— A private tour of the Ayrburn art collection
