Director’s Picks: Navigating Aotearoa Art Fair 2026
Anita Tótha. Photo by Sam Hartnett.
Discover what The Arts House Trust Director Anita Tótha is most looking forward to at the Aotearoa Art Fair 2026. From standout artists and must-see booths to insights for new collectors, explore her curated picks and plan your visit to this year’s Fair.
Join Anita on Friday 1 May, 11.30AM for a 45-minute guided tour of the Aotearoa Art Fair, The Smart Collector Tour – Picks Under $5,000..
The Aotearoa Art Fair has gone from strength to strength, and what continues to set it apart is its considered scale. Rather than overwhelming, the Fair offers a focused and engaging experience — one where you can spend time with the work, return for a second look, and remain curious throughout.
There is such a thing as too much art. What makes this fair so compelling is its balance: a diverse line-up of galleries representing artists from across Aotearoa and beyond, including Australia, Rarotonga, Tahiti and London, presented in a way that feels both accessible and refined. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the continued celebration of Aotearoa alongside a growing international presence, including Aboriginal Australian and Pasifika artists, bringing a wider regional dialogue into focus.
Importantly, this scale also creates space for genuine connection. Visitors have the opportunity to speak directly with gallerists, and sometimes artists themselves, fostering conversations and insights that are rarely possible at some of the larger international fairs.
For those new to the Fair, or just beginning to build a collection, my advice is simple: take your time. Look closely, ask questions, and enjoy the breadth of work and voices brought to our shores. The diversity on offer is one of the Aotearoa Art Fair’s greatest strengths, and a reminder of the richness of contemporary practice across our region and beyond. During the Fair, I’ll also be leading a guided walking tour, sharing a selection of my top picks, with a focus on works under $5,000 for those starting or growing their collections.
Highlights to look forward to at the Aotearoa Art Fair 2026
So many events to choose from at the AON Talks programme this year, but I’m looking forward to a conversation moderated by Zoe Black with artists Rangi Kipa, Chevron Hassett and Ngahuia Harrison exploring their individual practices. It’s always valuable for visitors and collectors alike to hear directly from artists, to gain insight into their thinking and better understand the processes, influences, and lived experiences that shape the work.
As for artists to watch at the Fair, too many favourites to name, however, I’m looking forward to seeing emerging artist Ruby Wilkinson’s paintings at Jhana Millers Gallery. We recently included a large-scale painted curtain in the group exhibition A Moment to Hold at The Arts House Trust, where her work was a real highlight for audiences. It will be exciting to see how her practice continues to develop over the coming years.
Ruby Wilkinson, Parade, 2025 (installation view). Part of A Moment to Hold, The Arts House Trust, 2025. Photo by Sam Hartnett.
A likely crowd favourite, I’m especially interested to see Yona Lee’s solo booth with Fine Arts Sydney. Her site-specific installations have a way of completely shifting how you experience a space, often sitting somewhere between sculpture and architecture. I’m curious to see how this translates within the Fair, and how people respond to it.
Gallerist Tim Melville will be hosting a solo exhibition of Areez Katki, featuring incredible and beautiful embroidered textile panels. Katki is described as a storyteller first, using fabric and thread to explore themes like mysticism, heritage and queerness. It will be great to see how the stories have unfolded over time.
— Anita Tótha
Visit The Arts House Trust during the Aotearoa Art Fair 2026 and explore our current exhibitions:
• Mickey Smith: Morphologies | 5 March – 24 May 2026
• Paul Maseyk: Jugs in New Zealand Painting | 27 March – 7 June 2026
• Angela Pan: LITA | 27 March – 7 June 2026
Mickey Smith, Morphologies, 2026 (installation view). Photo by Sam Hartnett.