Newmarket is more than Auckland’s hub for fashion and food — it’s a cultural precinct woven with sculpture, colour, and creative expression. Across its streets and laneways, public artworks transform everyday corners into vibrant destinations, inviting visitors to slow down, look up, and discover something new.
Below is a guided journey through some of Newmarket’s most striking artworks — including four key pieces you’ll be featuring visually: Sliver, Smirnoff, Ándale Ándale, and the diverse creations of Nuffield Lane.
Sliver — Virginia King (2008)
On the corner of Broadway and Khyber Pass Road stands Sliver, a gleaming stainless-steel work by renowned New Zealand sculptor Virginia King. Formed from a series of radiating elliptical discs, the sculpture captures and reflects the shifting light of the city throughout the day. Its curves and perforated forms echo King’s longstanding interest in nature, navigation, and the rhythms of the environment.
Positioned at one of Newmarket’s busiest gateways, Sliver acts like a beacon — a polished marker that signals the precinct’s blend of energy, movement, and contemporary design.
Smirnoff — Marte Szirmay (1969)
Across at Lumsden Green, Marte Szirmay’s Smirnoff rises in interlocking aluminium forms. Created in 1969, the sculpture is modernist in spirit, with eight intertwined shapes referencing momentum, air currents, and the dynamism of the era in which it was created.
Its brushed metal surface and sculptural geometry make it a natural focal point within the park — a piece that encourages both contemplation and interaction as people move around it. Smirnoff remains one of Newmarket’s most distinctive and enduring sculptural landmarks.
Ándale Ándale — Reuben Paterson (2013)
Bold, colourful, and unmistakably modern, Ándale Ándale by Reuben Paterson is a dazzling intervention on Remuera Road. Created using 15 large sheets of richly coloured aluminium, the work carries Paterson’s signature flair for pattern, sparkle, and visual intensity.
This striking piece celebrates movement and vibrancy — an energetic expression of Newmarket’s fast-paced character. It’s a favourite for photographers and one of the most instantly recognisable artworks in the precinct.
Nuffield Lane — New Marks by Various Artists
Tucked just off the main street, Nuffield Lane has undergone a lively transformation thanks to New Marks — a community art initiative inviting multiple artists to leave their individual mark across the alleyway.
What was once a simple pedestrian cut-through is now a creative canvas, featuring an eclectic mix of styles, colours, and techniques. The result is a vibrant, ever-evolving outdoor gallery that reflects the diversity of New Zealand’s contemporary street-art scene.
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, heading to a boutique, or simply exploring, Nuffield Lane rewards those who wander with bold imagery, unexpected detail, and plenty of character.
More Creative Stops to Explore
While your highlighted artworks anchor the visual story, Newmarket’s wider art trail offers even more to discover:
- Jonny4Higher’s murals on Teed Street & Gillies Avenue
- Flox’s nature-inspired works, including her Station Square mural
- Paul Walsh’s Paua Topography behind Khyber Pass Road
- Railway Street Gallery + Studios showcasing contemporary local artists
- ArtSelect Gallery with rotating exhibitions
- Sanderson Contemporary in Osborne Lane
- The Poi Room, celebrating Māori and NZ art and design
Together, these galleries and artworks build a creative ecosystem that complements Newmarket’s urban lifestyle.
A Precinct Defined by Colour, Culture & Creativity
From shimmering steel sculptures to laneway murals and collaborative community art, Newmarket offers a rich visual landscape that’s as dynamic as the people who live, work, and explore here.
