Teststrip: A History of An Artist-Run Space (1992-1997)

This book presents a history of this killer artist-run space in the form of an archive of ephemera and photographs. If you were there, you won't remember...

''In 1992 eight artists (a mix of recent graduates and more experienced artists) frustrated with the lack of exhibiting opportunities from public art institutions and dealer galleries took on the lease of a modest floor at 10 Vulcan Lane in the heart of Auckland's CBD and opened Teststrip gallery with a group show of their work. The collective followed this with a series of solo shows and short-run publications. Encouraged by the response, they resolved to extend the program by inviting other artists to exhibit in exchange for a nominal fee to help pay the rent. At the end of 1994, due to the growing gentrification of the CBD, Teststrip was forced to move to a new building at 454 Karangahape Road, Newton, which gave the opportunity for the collective to reconsider operations. With funding from Creative New Zealand the group upgraded the two-gallery space, formalised their publication series, the Teststrip micrographs, employed an administrator and worked with a designer to develop a graphic identity. Teststrip broadened the kinds of projects they undertook, in particular working with Australian artists and curators and holding a series of shows by Los Angeles artists. In their final year the collective strengthened their connection to the wider arts community with the inclusion of music, theatre events and exhibitions of work in jewellery and ceramics. These events, projects, installations, screenings and performances were documented and this publication is an extension and consolidation of the aims and values of Teststrip. The Teststrip gallery model has influenced subsequent artist-run galleries around New Zealand, and several members are still part of these collectives.''