About us

For the better part of the last two decades, my bio was straightforward: I owned Page Blackie Gallery in Wellington. I proudly exhibited many of New Zealand’s finest artists and also placed many of New Zealand’s most important secondary market artworks in private and public art collections. When I closed the art gallery in 2019 and ‘went my separate way’, I began assessing the artworld from outside the walls of the white cube I’d previously occupied, and I began donning different hats as I saw needs. All art related, and all unbelievably satisfying.

First and foremost, I am an art dealer. I represent some of the country’s leading artists and take enormous pride and pleasure in selling extraordinary artworks on their behalf. I also work with private collectors, corporates and public collections in sourcing or selling exceptional artworks. Alongside my work in Wellington, I am able to travel wherever I am required, and seem to spend a lot of time in the superb care of Air Chathams, living as I do on the Kapiti Coast.

 
For the last few years I have been connecting collectors with artists, often through exhibitions in artists' studios. But pop-up spaces never work for fine art as they're not beautiful enough for a prestigious exhibition. Earlier this year, timing and opportunity magically coincided as I was looking for a space to exhibit Joe Sheehan's first solo exhibition in Wellington. Incredibly, the old Mojo cafe in the iconic former Overseas Passenger Terminal on the Wellington waterfront became available. 
Four weeks' work subsequently transformed  it into a beautiful art space, and seeing it come together, I fell in love with it. Long story short, I now own the space, have named it 'James Blackie', and am very excited to share upcoming projects with you in my new Wellington art gallery. 

Under my fine art consulting hat, I perform art collection consulting, fine art valuations, art installations, conservation and framing advice, art transport support - you name it. If you need help in the often bewildering art world, I’m here.

Most importantly I  focus on your collection, so whether you are looking for the next exceptional artwork or your very first, or you have too many works in your collection and need breathing room, I can help.

 I also co-own Glorious Digital, where I’m director of art. Glorious helps artists make and sell exceptional digital fine artworks for you to enjoy on digital screens in your own home (and for those who can cope with the terminology, these are blockchain authenticated NFTs).

Additionally, I am enormously proud to be a Te Papa Foundation Trustee. I work with charities (most recently as fine art consultant for the Sallies on their spectacular Offering project). And, despite having rattled off all my professional hats, I’ll conclude with my most important: father of two boys and husband to an amazing woman, who is a weapon in her own profession.