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culture
Inside the Arrowtown based Gallery of Rosie Bristed
22/04/25
Author: Sophia Doak
DOCUMENTED BY: RIISE
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Warm and welcoming, Astor Bristed is nestled down Arrowtown's charming Buckingham Street.
Run by Rosie, this vibrant cultural space supports and showcases the talents of New Zealand artists, inviting visitors to connect and enjoy a thoughtful moment against the beautiful backdrop of Queenstown. A lover of good stories, Rosie is drawn to artists who capture their ideas in a way that is both compelling and recognisably theirs. RIISE spent an afternoon in the sun-drenched gallery with Rosie, to learn more about her journey and why she finds joy in being surrounded by creativity.
RIISE: Can you tell us a little about yourself and where your passion for contemporary art began?
RB: I grew up traipsing around art fairs with my mum - which clearly had a lasting impact, although I never imagined owning a gallery. I love all stories, visual and written. I'm an avid reader with a vast imagination. When an artist captures a feeling or place or idea in a way that is compelling but recognisably theirs, I get very drawn in.
RIISE: What led to your decision to open your own art gallery? How have you found this experience?
RB: It was several years ago. I admired the scene but had little physical experience and opened something small to sound it all out. Now, the operation has grown substantially - it feels a lot more refined, and I'm frequently amazed by little things that indicate how far it's come.
RIISE: What does your process for discovering artists to feature look like?
RB: Usually, I've been admiring their work for some time before making an approach. I like to meet them in person, to see that we communicate well and enjoy their work in the flesh. It's mostly about whether we are a good fit for each other - there's a range of things that come into that.
RIISE: Which artist are you currently showing at your gallery, and what excites you about their work?
RB: Holly Zandbergen - we have worked together for four years, nearly as long as the gallery has been going. Holly is so skilled, applying herself with the same fervour to every painting. This exhibition is botanical (aptly titled Florescence), and it's truly exceptional artwork. One of the pieces in the show, The Rosebush, holds light like it's dappled and has a beautiful, rambling nature. It's a marvel to think that Holly conjured this, I can't stop looking at it.
Art by Holly Zandbergen.
RIISE: Arrowtown is a hub for international travellers. Do you find a lot of joy in sharing New Zealand artists with the rest of the world?
RB: Absolutely. The audience is a really special aspect of working in this town. Across locals and visitors, there is a great mix of people. The locals give me feedback and come to all the openings, whereas visitors have often timed their trip with a particular season - they're always keen to see what sort of contemporary works are being produced by up-and-coming New Zealand artists.
RIISE: What is your favourite part about being surrounded by beautiful creativity every day?
RB: Between the physical artworks and accompanying literature, it's a great little world of concepts that people come to enjoy, in the hope of finding something they connect with. And the whole thing changes every month with each new show. We paint the walls different colours and rearrange the layout, etc. I think it is a wonderful rhythm to live by and I feel very lucky.
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