Since Fisher Galleries was established in 1870 six generations of the Fisher family have helped to get the gallery to where it is today. John Fisher (5th Generation) remains as the Managing Director and owner of the business however sons Simon and Michael Fisher now have a more active role, looking after the day to day running of the gallery and its future direction. Specialist services include:

· Artist Management, Exhibitions, Promotion and Representation

· Curatorial and exhibition services

· Secondary art market sales – by consignment or purchase outright

· Insurance valuations and collection cataloguing

· Collection management and advisory for private and corporate clients

· Art logistics crating and freight worldwide

· Conservation, framing, installation/hanging advice

Henry Fisher was the founder of H. Fisher & Son Ltd now trading as Fisher Galleries. At the age of twelve he was apprenticed for six years with "Maggs" of Bath as Carver & Gilder.

In 1852 he joined a leading London firm of Gilders and was in charge of 38 Gilders, eight Joiners and six Carvers. He was personally entrusted with Gilding work at Windsor Castle where he would lead a team of tradesmen for six weeks at a time.

In 1865, he bought his own Picture Framing and Gilding business, but five years later, was enticed to leave, with his family, for New Zealand by a relative already in Christchurch. Henry sailed to New Zealand on the Merope and arrived in Lyttleton in 1870.

Fisher Galleries first gallery was established in 1870 in High Street, Christchurch. During the earlier years, particularly before an art market was established in New Zealand Fisher Galleries imported and sold paintings by some of worlds most famous and sought after artists including Alfred Munnings, Sir J. F. Herring and Stanhope Forbes. They also specialised in expert gilding, framing and restoration/conservation services. Since the gallery’s inception they have represented and sold artworks by New Zealand’s most respected and renowned artists.

Fisher Galleries head office and main gallery is now located at 134 Victoria St, Christchurch. The gallery was purpose built and designed by architects Shepherd & Rout and was nominated for a number of architectural awards. The gallery was opened in December 2006 with a major survey exhibition of New Zealand Fine Art including significant artworks by Charles Goldie, Colin McCahon, Frances Hodgkins, Sydney Thompson, Ralph Hotere, Bill Hammond, Petrus Van der Velden, Philip Clairmont, Tim Wilson and many more of New Zealand’s most sought after Historical, Modern and Contemporary artists.

In December 2007 Fisher Galleries sold their Wellington Gallery to long time manager Ron Epskamp and closed the Auckland Gallery. This meant that they could focus their energy in Christchurch on a dedicated exhibition programme of emerging and established contemporary, modern and historical artists while also being able to provide specialist fine art consultancy services, particularly in the secondary (re-sale) end of the art market.

Simon Fisher (6th Generation) continues to operate an appointment only consultancy service from Auckland, specialising in prodominently the secondary market for New Zealand and International fine art.

Please do not hesitate to contact the gallery for any further information.