Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Reviews

The building is lovely and very different from anything I have seen before. Interesting kinetic sculptures by Len Lye.

Pretty building.
Poor designed interiorior.
Staff not helping.
And artwork inferior.

Went there thrice.
And paid the price.
Valuble time lost forever.

Stunning are works, amazing venue. Well worth a look.

Definitely a great way to spend some time to go through the exhibits and watch some of the films! There are a couple at different timings, so be certain to allocate some time to catch the screening.

Fascinating though a few limited displays! Several interactive workshop activities for school groups

Always Fantastic..Love it each time we go to see whats in there..

We enjoyed the architecture, but quite a few of the exhibits were closed when we were there, so didn't end up spending as much time there as we would have expected.

Stunning place to visit. Intriguing spaces. Great people

Extraordinary ! so many New idea of art here ! so Beautiful building !

This gallery, one of NZ's best art venues, can "no longer can afford" the free admission that Kiwi galleries alway enjoyed... In spite of the fact that New Plymouth is swimming in oil and real estate wealth... More than they ever had. Neo-lib hypocracy at its worst.

A beautiful beautiful BEAUTIFUL museum! A must-do when in New Plymouth!

Lovely little gallery, interesting exhibitions, really knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Friendly staff, beautiful architecture. Just wish it had more art so I could stay longer.

Great building, exhibitions unimpressive but that s for me with art the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
As it was free - worth going
As it s an art gallery I can t give it 5 stars if nothing caught my eye.

Fascinating. I learned a lot about his art and even managed to appreciate it.

Warning. Sashimi is really fishy. Worst of the worst. Definitely trap.

Not really worth the money. Very little exhibitions.

The gallery is an amazing building. But there today only 2 exhibits and having seen Len Lye in the magnificent Christchurch Art Gallery this today was disappointing not well presented, we had to ask to have the spinning installations turned on!! .
Not sure what we could see for free! Paid $10.00 (Snr) not value for money at all.

Great modenisation of an old theatre--really outstanding and wonderful archetecture

Interesting exhibits in a remarkable building. Unfortunately I have seen much of the collection on tour in Auckland or Text Papa in the last 5 years.

I am glad I didn't make a special trip to see the Len Lye Center. I was very underwhelmed about the lack of sculptures and even the variety of his work that was on display. Massive expensive building for about 4 sculptures that were on display. 3 of these were the same things in different sizes. Surely they could make it more interesting by having more on display. Closed on Tuesday's as well even if it's a busy public holiday.

Great building but average art. I was bored and looked more at the architect of the building that the art itself.

Sorry but this beatiful building houses some great pieces of art - which you have to thumb through a 6000 page (not that many pages but it might as well be) 10-11 aerial font guide book to find out about a single piece. The book is sorted by room and item number - based on a schematic map where you have to identify where you are standing in the room and what piece of work you are standing in front of. Individual pieces are not numbered or carded in any way to. The guide gives little to NO information on scores or purpose of the piece - which is otherwise important in any modern art collection.

The layman should be thought of here - put in an audio guide or at least clearly peg each piece to an ID number (such A67 - room A Piece 67) and put the guidebook out there for each room.

A saving grace was the excellent and helpful staff and the single ticket good for the weekend.

My friend works here so it's awesome!!! Also it's just a lovely Gallery.

A lot of locals think it's overrated but it's a great modern art gallery. If you're unsure, check the website to see what's on before you visit.

Fun place to spend half an hour or so if you have little kids. Probably not more than that though as there is a lot of very cool stuff that you're really not supposed to touch / climb on.

Disappointed. Not a lot to see. The building is incredible.

We really enjoyed this gallery. The len lye exhibition was fascinating. Staff are friendly and helpful in providing information on the works. The $15 tickets last for 24hours so it's possible to visit the gallery over two days.

Really well thought out presentation of artworks. A must see.

Nice building but a little too few exhibits to be a destination bin itself.

Very disappointed. Very little to see. NO paintings at all. Needs a variety of art types to appeal to a wider audience. Beautiful building, shame the exhibitions didn't reflect the grandness of the building.

Don't miss this gallery, awesome mind you I love my art fix.

It's a one time visit if your in new Plymouth. Not worth the visit from out of town just to visit this place. Staff are friendly and informative. It must be better if they have more information displayed next to the exhibits. There is a free information booklet with maps and info which is helpful.

EXCELLENT FEATURES. LOTS OF GUIDES ON SITE TO EXPLAIN... AND FREE TO ENTER... MAKE A DONATION FOLKS TO KEEP IT FREE FROM TICKET CHARGES!

Love,love the building. Didn't think space was well hung or labelled. Such amazing space should be utilised better and more flamboyantly.

Great place to visit, ever changing exhibitions, always something great.

Lot Of Room But Not Much In It. Waste Of Space. The Muru Raupatu Door And The Drift Wood Were Interesting, Forming My Own Opinion On What May Have Been Going On In The Sculptors Mind.

Glad it was free. Nothing worth seeing! Return trip not planned

Great team of people who made our visit very welcoming. Great place to visit. Personally did not like each exhibition, but that does not affect the experience.

this beautiful museum have a excellent exhibition space and the curatorial style is well made. This space is an adventure in the paths or moderm and contemporany art. Finally the staff is kind and full of energy to help.

Very cool building and the kinetic sculptures are amazing.

A Taranaki highlight. A beautiful building and a great art space.

Great place with a good selection of movies on as well.

Great building design and layout. Different and interesting.

Impressed with the layout and artworks on display. Didn't realise Len Lye was such a renowned artist in the modern art circles. The entry fee is $15 seems a bit high, $10 per adult would have been more reasonable.

Fabulous building. Disappointingly small display of Len Lye works.

Nice place to visit...!! Building is Good architecture itself..!!

Great building. I wish there were more Len Lye sculptures though.

Fabulous exhibition Len Lye sky snakes plus great art

A collection of abstract and modern art. This centre is a beautiful building with stunning architecture. A lot of the art was well beyond my comprehension but I am sure it would be a wonderous collection to those who would understand it.

Enjoyed the Len Lye displays. Staff very informative and helpful. Admission is free, but a donation can be made.

Amazing seeing Len Lyes imaginings rendered in full scale

Absolutely amazing gallery. World class, and well worth a visit to this local icon.

Great architecture, closed for exhibit change when we went.

What a beautiful building, gently sloping upwards and onwards through a multi layered art center.... beautiful

I loved the mirrored exterior. Len Lye's work felt more historically interesting than spectacular in itself - but then I'm not an art buff.

5/5, great art work with friendly staff.

All information about art is on a booklet instead of on the wall. Might need some getting used to.

Very interesting, loved both the Len Lye and the Brett Graham exhibitions

Very good lighting. Brilliant exterior. Very interesting displays

I was perplexed by the slim showings of Len Lye's work! Lots of inexplicable locally- focused stuff of minimal interest to me. But if you're going to make a song and dance about Len Lye you need to make sure that's the focus inside the building too! Otherwise its false advertising.

Very cool building! Exhibitions are great for kids too

A MUST! Give yourself plenty of time and engage with the staff as they have a wealth of knowledge. An outstanding addition to a lovely town.

Beautiful architecture but the exhibits let the place down

Disappointing. Amazing building. Cant help be think the inside is like an emperor with no clothes. Some good art, mostly poor art and little inspiring art.

World class design, stimulate your senses with kinetic Len Lye!

Did not get to see what's inside but the building design is already a feature to see. Definitely a one of a kind and not to be missed when visiting New Plymouth. This is also close to almost every tourist attraction around the city centre.

Well worth a visit. Make site to allow a bit of time to watch the moving pieces.