Bergman Gallery

Bergman Gallery
Interactive map of the Bergman Gallery area
Former namesBCA Gallery (Beachcomber Contemporary Art)
General information
TypeCommercial dealer gallery
LocationBeachcomber Courtyard,

Taputapuatea Rd, Avarua,

Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Coordinates21°12′17″S 159°46′22″W / 21.20486°S 159.77275°W / -21.20486; -159.77275
Website
http://www.bergmangallery.com

Bergman Gallery is an commercial art gallery in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.[1] Bergman Gallery represents and has represented many significant international artists from New Zealand, Cook Islands and Australia, including Fatu Feu'u, Luise Fong, Andy Leleisi'uao, Reuben Paterson, Michel Tuffery, Billy Apple, Ian George, Mahiriki Tangaroa, Sylvia Marsters, and Lucas Grogan.[2][3][4]

History

Founded by artist and educator Joan Gragg in 2001, Bergman Gallery was previously known as BCA Gallery (Beachcomber Contemporary Art), in Rarotonga, Cook Islands between 2001-2015, and during 2016 it was transformed into Bergman Gallery under director Ben Bergman.[5][6] After participated in the past five Auckland Art Fairs, Bergman Gallery director felt there was a niche in the market for Contemporary Pacific art and decided to open a second gallery in Auckland, New Zealand in 2022.[3] Bergman Gallery in Auckland, New Zealand was situated on Karangahape Road,[7] and was officially opened by Caren Rangi ONZM, Chair of Arts Council of New Zealand at the time.[8] There was also a delegation from the Cook Islands attended the official opening with the Minister of Cultural Development, George Maggie Angene, Cultural Development Secretary, Anthony Turua and Cook Islands Consular Officer, Keu Mataroa.[9] In 2026, Bergman Gallery in Auckland closed down.[10]

Present

Bergman Gallery represents both emerging and established artists, and has since expanded to show Asian art and LGBTI+ artists from Germany, Australia, Cook Islands, and New Zealand.[11][12][13]

The gallery regularly participates in Auckland Art Fair (now Aotearoa Art Fair),[14] as well as VOLTA New York,[12] Tokyo International Art Fair,[15] and European Cultural Centre Italy, Personal Structures, coinciding Venice Biennale.[16] Bergman Gallery were involved with Anuanua Pride, also known as Cook Islands pride week, and hosted the pride wearable arts.[17][18] The gallery also invite artists for residencies in the Cook Islands, previous residency artists included Taja Vaetoru[13] and Matthew Payne.[19]

Bergman Gallery's recent exhibitions included works by notable artists: Billy Apple,[20] Reuben Paterson,[21] Tungane Broadbent,[21] Luise Fong,[11] and Shannon Novak.[22]

In 2026, Niuean artist with Cook Islands heritage, Marcus Hipa, had an exhibition about Niuean soldiers in World War I as part of New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion, titled The Luku and the Lion in Rarotonga.[23][24]

Represented artists

References

  1. ↑ "Bergman Gallery opens in Auckland". Cook Islands News. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  2. ↑ "Bergman Gallery". Ponsonby News. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. 1 2 NZ, Home (2022-06-22). "A new gallery for modern Pacific art opens in Auckland this Matariki". HOME Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  4. ↑ "The More Things Change... part 1". Auckland Pride Festival. 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  5. ↑ Holden, Joanne (2023-04-11). "Religious celebration basis of Gragg's new exhibition". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  6. ↑ "Bergman Gallery Rarotonga". Artnow. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  7. ↑ Places, Nicole Mudgway from Neat (2023-07-18). "Your guide to one of Auckland's most diverse areas: Karangahape Road". Stuff. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  8. ↑ "Gallery director cautious as global market 'fairly immune so far' . . ". Cook Islands News. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  9. ↑ Vano, Kendall (2022-07-13). "Bergman Gallery Exhibition: Te Atuitanga - Between our Cloak of Stars". TP+. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  10. ↑ "Bergman Gallery Auckland concludes its chapter". Cook Islands News. 2026-03-16. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  11. 1 2 "Finding Home". 2023-09-25. Archived from the original on 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  12. 1 2 Mudgway, Nicole (2023-09-26). "Bergman Gallery". Neat Places.
  13. 1 2 Tairi, Teitimoana. "Exploring identity and heritage - Cook Islands News". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 2025-07-27. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  14. ↑ "Auckland Art Fair back with a bang". NZ Herald. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  15. ↑ "Tokyo International Art Fair 2021 Official Catalogue". Issuu. 2023-09-26.
  16. ↑ "Mahiriki Tangaroa in Personal Structures | Contemporary Hum". contemporaryhum.com. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  17. ↑ Etches, Melina. "A sneak peek: Wearable Arts pre-judging sets stage for Anuanua Week - Cook Islands News". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 2025-06-16. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  18. ↑ Etches, Melina. "Standard of wearable arts 'all-time high' at Anuanua Festival - Cook Islands News". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 2025-04-26. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  19. ↑ Tairi, Teitimoana (2025-11-15). "Payne layers up Aitutaki beauty". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  20. ↑ "Recreating Billy Apple's groundbreaking show". Cook Islands News. 2022-08-20. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  21. 1 2 "Reuben Paterson - Overview". The Central. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  22. ↑ "Inflection Point". Artnow. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  23. ↑ Tairi, Teitimoana (2026-04-15). "Art exhibition explores Polynesia's World War I legacy". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  24. ↑ Tairi, Teitimoana (2026-04-28). "Bridging WWI history with contemporary art". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
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