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Pictorial Collections

Learn more about Hocken's Pictorial Collections.

Opening hours and contact

The Hocken Collections and Gallery are open to all researchers and exhibition visitors.

Monday Closed
Tuesday to Saturday Open 10am to 5pm
Sunday Closed
Public holidays Closed

Contact Pictorial staff

Tel +64 3 479 8871
Email photos.hocken@otago.ac.nz

Ask a question

Services for researchers

Hocken Pictorial Collections

The Hocken Pictorial Collections reading room is open by appointment 10am–3pm Tuesday to Friday.

Please call or make an appointment.

Hākena

Search for art and photographs. See our guide for help with searching:

Hākena guide

Digitised photographs and artworks

For digitised photographs, search:
Hocken Snapshop

Explore a selection of over a thousand digitised artworks:
OURHeritage

Conditions of use and price list

Read our conditions of use and prices for our scanning, copying and reproduction services:

Staff can help with finding images and information on artists in the collections. A free reference service is offered for queries relating to New Zealand art, photography and Hocken's collections.

Copies of images can be ordered, subject to preservation and copyright conditions.

Group visits and tours

General tours of Hocken are offered on Thursdays at 11am and can include viewing art "on the racks".

Researchers, curators, school, tertiary and community groups can arrange specialised research visits of pictorial collections by email or by phoning (03) 479-8871.

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Art

Hocken's Pictures Collection has more than 17,000 artworks relating to New Zealand and the Pacific, dating from 18th century voyagers through to contemporary artists.

This is a magnificent resource for the study of New Zealand art history and provides abundant research material for the history and culture of New Zealand.

Artists with works in the collection include:

  • Frances Hodgkins

Dr Hocken's original collection of pictures represents illustrative material intended for use by geographers, ethnologists and natural scientists.

Significant additions to the collection include artwork amassed by Charles Brasch, Mona Edgar and Rodney Kennedy.

Research Guide for Art History sources at the Hocken (PDF)

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Photographs

The Photographs Collection includes well over a million historic images from all over New Zealand, the Pacific, early Australia and Antarctica but with a focus on Otago.

Formats range from daguerreotypes, prints, albums, postcards, panoramas, 35mm slides to lantern slides, glass and film negatives and digital files.

Historic photographers represented include:

  • J.W. Allen
  • Burton Brothers
  • Herbert Deveril
  • Muir and Moodie
  • James Bragge
  • George Chance
  • Joseph Perry

While the policy in recent times has been for collecting documentary photography (as opposed to art photography housed with the paintings), contemporary photographers spanning the divide include:

  • Gary Blackman
  • Lloyd Godman
  • Christine Webster
  • Di Ffrench
  • Adrienne Martyn
  • Nigel Yates

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See what's on in the Gallery

The Hocken Gallery hosts a regular programme of exhibitions showcasing collections, artwork by Frances Hodgkins Fellows and travelling exhibits.

Current exhibition

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