Carol Hunter has been manning the low desk at the end of the long and narrow Kura Gallery since 1998 but is now calling time on nearly three decades in the business.
Sandwiched in between Replete and Spacecraft, Kura has for 28 years been an outlet for fine art, photography, jewellery and the likes of small sculptural works from artists and creatives as far north as Rawene and south to Dunedin. “It’s a real mix… we sell a bit of everything. It’s hard to say what we sell more of,” says Carol.
The initial concept was to focus on contemporary Māori art, she says.
“But the business has changed because… it’s really hard to say what is contemporary Māori art.
“Is it a Māori artist? Do they have to be Maori? So, it all just got too hard. But definitely the focus is on Maori art, and contemporary New Zealand work… all the artists have to be living in New Zealand, New Zealanders.”
Before opening Kura, Carol was involved in establishing the Taupō Trade Aid store – at one point on the opposite side of Te Heuheu St but now gone as the organisation retrenched in the face of challenging times – ones Kura has managed to surf through to remain a profitable enterprise.
“I could see a gap in the market for New Zealand art. I didn’t want work that was made overseas. I knew there were a lot of really good New Zealand artists out there and they weren’t getting the profile they deserved…
“And since I’ve opened, other similar galleries have opened around the country, which is good.
It’s great to see. Good for the art. Good for the artist. Good for the country. Good for the profile of art.”
Following a short-lived partnership, it had “just been me in here with loyal employees,” she says, “and I’ve had four really loyal employees… Angela, Sheree, Lynne, and Liz. Amazing. Who you can trust and who are also interested in the arts.”
The other factor has been the relationship she has built up with artists.
“Some of them we’ve had since we opened. All getting older now. And they’re all pretty sad that we’re closing.
“But, that’s just the way it is. The lease comes up for renewal at the end of July and I really can’t see me physically being able to do another two years.”
Kura’s customers are mainly domestic tourists, she says.
“Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, you do get the discerning internationals and a lot of expats.
“I’ve never done social media because I simply haven’t had time.”
Kura has also provided an outlet for local artists as well, says Carol, “but it needs to be the sort of work that fits in here. There’s a lot of really lovely work out there, but it doesn’t necessarily fit into… this little meeting house.”
She’s leaving with no regrets – selling or returning to the artists the remaining stock.
“I’ve loved it. I’ve enjoyed chatting with customers… really interesting customers. And a lot of foreigners just want to talk.”
She is sure the relationships she has built up with various artists will continue.
“And I’ve learned a lot about Māori art and Māori customs since I’ve been here, which is great. I’m going to concentrate on learning to speak or understand Māori a bit more when I retire.”
Picture: Liz Roe and Carol Hunter outside Kura Gallery.
This story has also appeared in the Taupō and Tūrangi News
