Purposefully designed, The Spire Hotel’s interior celebrates the evolution of art in Aotearoa, offering our manuhiri an immersive cultural experience during their stay. Our main areas and rooms have been transformed into exhibition spaces, with art chosen to enhance our contemporary aesthetic.
The Spire proudly displays an array of artwork, recognising artists who have made significant contributions to art and education in New Zealand.
In the Hotel Lobby we have a rotating arrangement, with ARTIS Gallery – A contemporary gallery in Parnell, Auckland with a strong exhibition focus, ARTIS represents a diverse range of leading New Zealand artists, many of whom have achieved international acclaim.
Brendan Burns
Gracing the hotel lobby December 2024 – February 2025, are four artworks by Brendan Burns, a Cardiff-based artist whose work explores the intersection of landscape, abstraction, and the metaphysical.
Known for his lush, abstract landscapes, Burns employs a distinctive technique, using only a palette knife to combine oil and wax, creating rich textures reminiscent of frosting. His paintings operate at the boundary between abstraction and representation, reflecting the artist’s sensitivity to both the tangible and the intangible.
In 2020, Brendan embarked on an artist’s residency at Piha on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island. During Brendan’s time in New Zealand, he travelled extensively including a journey to Rotorua’s geothermal area which provided inspiration for both Warbrick Terrace Meander and Wai-O-Tapu Flicker. The lush native forest of the North Island’s west coast inspired the works Kawakawa, Piha and Putaputaweta, Piha.
A dedicated philosopher of art, Burns’ practice continues to evolve as he uses painting as a means of deepening his connection with both the natural world and the inner dimensions of human experience.
