Current Exhibition

Jeff Thomson – Transmute

Exhibition 15 August - 12 September 2026

New works by New Zealand's master of corrugated iron art, embracing themes from throughout his career. (Click on images for more details of individual works).
The latest works move from the rawness of his used iron sculptures, into a purity of rich colour and smooth surface in new works of anodised aluminium. He transforms his bouquets in this medium, celebrating shape and form, here inspired by leaves and flora collected on the beaches of Muriwai and the Kaipara Harbour.

His sought-after kete too, have been transformed, from the rough used iron medium of the past into uplifted colour of anodised aluminium.

Anchoring the exhibition are dramatic 'knot' wall sculptures - hand-braided strips of used, painted iron, woven into distinctive forms like a Fireman's chairlift, a traditional Pacific rug, and a glowing 'Lucky Knot'.

Thomson's playfulness transforms Meccano and tin toys, corrugated, rebuilt, as well as a new series of 'Still Life' recreated from everyday objects like fire extinguishers, gas cylinders, oxygen bottles, a toolbox, an American jerry can and an olive oil can.

A magnificent large bouquet and a giant Mahoe leaf, rusty and burned, hark back to earlier series for which Thomson is well known.
Finally, he 'nails it' with new cast lead roofing nails, embedded in screenprinted roofing iron, from a series initiated decades ago during a residency in Whanganui.

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Upcoming Exhibition

As It Happens

Euan Macleod, Gregory O’Brien

Preview: Friday, 18th September 2026, 5:30 pm
Exhibition 19 September - 24 October 2026

Continuing a long standing collaboration between two prominent New Zealand artists, one based in Sydney, the other in Wellington. They have come together, particularly in residencies in Marlborough and Central Otago, bringing together two very different approaches into collaborative works of astonishing power, drama and storytelling.

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Showcase

Each month we profile a special work from the stockroom. This month’s selection:

Light can be both Wave and Particle

Gerda Leenards

This painting emerged some years after a residency in the Marlborough Sounds, an evocation of the shifting light and curious effect on perception of horizon and light. The painting has been selected as the cover image on a new book by prominent UK poet Maura Dooley, to be released by Bloodaxe Books in May 2027, entitled Light that is both wave and particle. The title of both painting, and book, refer to an ongoing debate about the nature of light.

“I am interested in landforms but not in the traditional sense, it’s more the way that we see landforms and how what we see is affected by weather and light. It is about not being certain what’s going to happen next – the unexpectedness of weather. You can’t go back there and see the exact same effect.” – Gerda Leenards

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The Diversion Gallery exhibits fine art by leading New Zealand contemporary artists, in a stylish gallery on the waterfront in Picton/Waitohi, Marlborough.

We offer paintings, drawings, sculpture and limited edition prints by some of New Zealand’s most collectible fine artists. Many are acclaimed senior or mid-career artists of national and international repute, and whose work is held in major public galleries and private collections; from time to time we introduce emerging artists of distinctive talent. We also have a selection of superb pieces by New Zealand fine art jewellers.

We ship nationally and internationally.

Winter break – July 2026 – the gallery is closed from 1-31 July – open by appointment only, but we will reply to email enquiries. We reopen in August with a group exhibition leading up to an exhibition of new work by the master of corrugated iron sculpture, Jeff Thomson.

From August, the gallery is once again open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, other times by appointment.