2026 marks a significant year for Parnell Gallery, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary.
In 1976, armed with a BA in Art History and newly returned from a two-year OE, Sally Souness opened her first gallery at 263 Parnell Road, the same address the gallery occupies today. Parnell in the 1970s was a lively hub of boutiques, restaurants and bars, and Sally felt a gallery specialising in limited edition prints would be a natural addition to the neighbourhood. The gallery originally opened under the name The Hang Up Gallery, reflecting its focus on accessible art forms such as etchings, lithographs and screen prints.
The gallery began as a small downstairs space, while the upstairs rooms were occupied by renowned photographer George Kohlap. Over time, as opportunities arose, Sally gradually expanded into the upper floor, subletting some offices to Blue Skies Advertising while establishing a framing business in the remaining space. Across five decades, the physical gallery has continually evolved. Staircases have been moved several times, walls reconfigured and balconies converted, gradually shaping the heritage space visitors know today.
From its earliest days, the gallery specialised in limited edition prints, reflecting Sally’s belief that collecting art should be accessible to a wide audience. During the early decades of the gallery, Sally travelled regularly to the New York Art Fair, sourcing etchings, lithographs and screen prints from international publishers. This focus on editions helped establish the gallery’s reputation as a place where new collectors could begin their journey while still discovering high quality contemporary work.
By the mid-1990s, both the gallery and its programme had grown significantly. In 1996, the gallery was renamed Parnell Gallery, reflecting its increasingly established role within the local arts community and a broader programme of contemporary New Zealand artists.
The gallery has always been deeply intertwined with family life. Sally’s daughters, Anna and Chrissy, quite literally grew up in the gallery, from bassinets under the counter to after-school jobs and helping around exhibitions. In 2011, Anna Souness formally joined the business, bringing experience gained through her own career. Today she works alongside Sally as Co-Director.
Sally and Anna bring complementary strengths to the gallery. Sally’s approach is instinctive, shaped by decades of experience and a practical understanding of artists and collectors. Anna brings strategic planning and a forward-looking perspective, helping guide the gallery’s development in an evolving art world. Under Anna’s influence, the gallery has expanded its reach, connecting with collectors well beyond its local community while maintaining the personal relationships at the heart of the business.
Over fifty years, the gallery has grown into a community that extends well beyond its founders. Long-standing relationships with artists have formed the backbone of the programme, with some artists joining the gallery early in their careers and developing alongside it over decades. This continuity, alongside the contributions of many staff members over the years, has shaped the gallery’s identity and enduring character.
For Sally, the gallery has been far more than a business. It has been the centre of a life spent immersed in art, friendships and creative collaboration. Many exhibitions have been shaped by shared trips with artists around Aotearoa, where travel, conversation and observation later became the foundation for new bodies of work. Fifty years on, the gallery continues to evolve while remaining grounded in the same values on which it was founded: close relationships with artists, thoughtful guidance for collectors, and a belief in the lasting importance of art.
Anyone who has visited the gallery over the years will know that there is usually a dog quietly keeping watch. From the very beginning, Sally has always had a dog by her side in the gallery. The current resident is Frankie, a border terrier who regularly appears in gallery photographs and is a familiar presence to visitors. In fact, Frankie is the sixth official Parnell Gallery dog.
The first was Leda, a black labrador who quickly became part of daily gallery life. Leda even had practical responsibilities. She would accompany Sally down the road to the BNZ with the daily banking and patiently wait outside before walking back together to the gallery. When the gallery also had a framing space above Vision X, Leda was occasionally entrusted with carrying messages between the two spaces, tucked neatly into her collar. Over the decades, these loyal companions have become a small but memorable part of the gallery’s story, greeting visitors and quietly observing fifty years of exhibitions, conversations and creativity.
Parnell Gallery has been a long-standing institution in the area, and has contributed greatly to the character and charm of our suburb. Congratulations on this significant milestone!
