Our Story
As New Zealand's most experienced fine art auction house and gallery, International Art Centre provides the highest standard of customer service, research and presentation.
History
International Art Centre, situated in the heart of Auckland’s historic Parnell, was established in 1971 by Graham and Joan Chote, an entrepreneurial young couple whose vision led to the opening of Parnell’s very first art gallery and auction house. Early exhibitions brought significant attention to both New Zealand and international artists, establishing the gallery as a destination for collectors and art lovers alike.
Graham’s vision was grounded in a commitment to quality, a flair for innovation and an instinct for recognising talent. He championed artists whose works would go on to achieve national and international acclaim and he built strong relationships with clients that fostered a culture of collecting. Glamorous openings, complete with the conviviality of champagne receptions, became part of the gallery’s identity, reflecting Graham & Joan’s belief that art should be celebrated and enjoyed.
In the early 1980s, Graham expanded across the Tasman, opening a gallery in Sydney’s Double Bay to fly the New Zealand flag abroad. After several successful years, the Ritz Carlton hotel chain approached him with plans to build on the very site his gallery occupied. As Graham later recalled, They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
International Art Centre’s very first auction was held in 1971 at the White Heron Lodge on St Stephen’s Avenue, an elegant evening event where champagne flowed freely and works by early colonial and modern New Zealand artists came under the hammer. It set the tone for the decades to follow, lively, prestigious occasions that combined a passion for art with a sense of occasion.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, auctions became a central part of International Art Centre’s business, with sales held in landmark venues across Auckland including Clifford House at Orakei Bay, the Regent Hotel and later Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. The auction division quickly established a reputation for professionalism and results, bringing important collections to market and helping repatriate significant works to New Zealand, including paintings by C.F. Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer. Over time, specialist sales such as Important & Rare Art became highly anticipated events on the art calendar, achieving record-breaking prices and attracting collectors nationwide.
Richard Thomson’s path to the rostrum was a natural evolution of a lifelong engagement with art. Joining International Art Centre in the 1990s, Richard worked closely with founder Graham Chote and auctioneer John McCormick, learning the intricacies of the auction process.
By the late 1990s, Richard had stepped onto the rostrum himself, quickly earning a reputation for his dynamic style, encyclopaedic knowledge and ability to connect with both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers. Today, he is widely recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading fine art auctioneers, achieving multiple record-breaking results, including the highest price ever realised at auction for a painting in New Zealand, Thoughts of a Tohunga for $3.75 million.
In 1997, Graham appointed Richard Thomson and his daughter Frances Davies as Directors, marking a significant moment in the gallery’s leadership. That same year, Trish Young joined International Art Centre and quickly became an integral part of the team.
A new chapter unfolded in 2001 when Frances travelled to Italy with artist Karel Burrows. There, she met Paolo Canetti of Milan and the late Franco Anselmi from the Veneto region. Recognising the vitality and Italian flair their work could bring to International Art Centre’s collection, she began negotiating for their representation. Subsequent trips to Italy expanded the gallery’s international circle further, welcoming artists such as Raimondo Roberti, Maria Serafina and Eros Rumor. These enduring connections with Italy continue today, alongside long-standing partnerships with artists from Australia, Canada, Russia, Spain, and, of course, New Zealand.
Today
The following decades saw International Art Centre cement its position as a market leader in the secondary art sector. Signature sales such as Important & Rare Art regularly delivered record-breaking results. In 2016 the opportunity arose to design and move into purpose-built premises at 202 Parnell Road, a move that enabled the gallery to expand its reach and services.
In 2020 International Art Centre responded swiftly to global challenges, establishing a dynamic online presence and hosting New Zealand’s first fully digital fine art auctions. The transition proved a success, attracting international bidders and expanding the gallery’s global footprint.
In 2024, the first Women In Art auction was launched as a new annual sale, celebrating the contributions of female artists to New Zealand’s art landscape. This annual sale continues to grow, attracting record results.
Today, Directors Richard Thomson and Frances Davies with their team of committed, approachable and professional staff welcome visitors to International Art Centre.
