Forde Gallery was founded in November 2023 by Karle Forde (Whakatōhea, Te Upokorehe, Ngāti Porou, Irish, English, Scottish) with her husband, resident artist Anton Forde (Taranaki, Gaeltacht, Gaelic, English). Forde Gallery is represented by Andrea Hammond.

Karle and Anton love connecting with nature and Waiheke Island. In creating a gallery, their intention is to provide a place which allows people to experience the beauty of nature through art on a personal level. Each artwork created is inspired on the foundations of previous works and life. This allows the gallery to be a place of continual reflection and exploration for all, and artworks not only viewed but experienced before being relocated to their new home.

Anton and Karle feel the reality of Forde Gallery being situated in the industrial area of Waiheke Island is unique and aim to celebrate this location. The site allows industrial elements to highlight and support natural aesthetics through creative processes. The gallery’s location embraces each artwork’s transformational journey, which is developed using natural elements of wood or stone on-site.

Forde Gallery first exhibited onsite during the Waiheke Island Open Studios Weekend 2025.

Forde Gallery will curate and host seasonal exhibitions onsite which will be open to view by appointment only to gallery subscribers. Visitors are able to subscribe by registering their email address with Andrea Hammond, info@fordegallery.com / 027 4486699 or by registering here.