Become a Represented Artist

For artists whose practices sit at the edge of the frame — conceptual, kaupapa-led, sometimes weird, always necessary.

Provocation Station is an online gallery, publishing platform, and shop. We exist to support artists whose work might not fit the traditional commercial model — but who still deserve visibility, sustainability, and mana.

Being a represented artist here means your work is part of our shop — either as part of a curated commercial exhibition, as a standalone offering, or through collaborative merch and subscription boxes. It’s not exclusive* — it’s kaupapa-aligned, values-led, and built slowly through trust, conversation, and clarity.
*Our subscription boxes don’t quite follow this rule — but it’s for a reason. Please read more below.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re here for the conceptual artists — the ones whose practices are idea-led, politically sharp, emotionally weird, materially experimental, or quietly radical. If your work doesn’t fit the usual gallery model, that’s often a good sign.

We’re especially interested in:

  • Artists working across disciplines — image, text, object, sound, digital

  • Practices grounded in kaupapa Māori, decolonial thinking, queer politics, or diasporic experience

  • Work that’s not afraid to be messy, minimal, theoretical, or slow

  • Artists who want to create repeatable or accessible formats without watering down their intent

We’re not a traditional commercial gallery — and we’re not trying to be. If you’re already represented by a dealer, this probably isn’t the right fit unless your work is explicitly conceptual and you’re looking to extend into kaupapa-led editions, zines, or experimental merch.

Right now, we’re primarily focused on artists based in Aotearoa and Australia, with a special focus on supporting Māori, Aboriginal, and Pacific artists wherever they’re based. This isn’t about borders — it’s about connection, whakapapa, and kaupapa alignment.

Artist Representation

We represent artists through the Provocation Station shop — not in a traditional gallery sense, but as an ongoing collaboration that supports kaupapa-led and conceptually aligned practices.

Most of what we stock is small and repeatable: things like prints, zines, jewellery, ceramics, and other affordable works that can be produced in batches. These pieces are accessible, practical, and help artists generate income outside the dealer system.

We also occasionally stock one-off or editioned works — sculptural pieces, handmade items, or unique offerings — especially if they align with the wider kaupapa.

Representation is usually offered after a connection through programming or publication, but you can also express interest directly if you feel your work fits the space we’re building.

Living, Layered Practices

We know that artists are often multi-passionate — and that not every part of your practice fits neatly into one category. While our focus is on conceptual, kaupapa-led work, we also understand that you might be an illustrator on the side, or make small things to help pay the bills.

We’re open to stocking those works too — prints, objects, zines, or handmade pieces that sit beside your core practice. Everything is negotiated with the artist. The aim isn’t to niche you down. It’s to support your practice as a whole, in all its complexity.

Commercial Exhibitions

We also run themed commercial shows — exhibitions that are still conceptual, but sellable. These are curated around an idea and stocked as collections in the shop. Each work is credited and sold directly through the store.

We’re not here to replicate the commercial gallery system — we’re here to show that conceptual, kaupapa-led work can be sellable without being flattened. That artists don’t have to choose between integrity and income.

Open calls for these shows will be listed under Calls for Entry.

Merch

We also produce merch — sometimes in-house, sometimes in collaboration with artists. These are conceptually rooted but often cheeky, repeatable, or wearable. Think: stickers, text works, tote bags, tees — the kind of things that carry meaning and help keep the lights on.

When we produce merch in-house or collaboratively, it’s exclusive to our store. Artists can purchase their own merch at a discounted rate — calculated as cost plus 10% of the retail price — to sell independently, provided they stick to the agreed RRP or higher.

We’re also open to stocking small runs of artist-supplied merch (like jewellery or handmade goods), as long as it aligns with the kaupapa and sits well in the shop. We’ll discuss quantities, pricing, and logistics together.

Grab Bags & Subscriptions

We run curated subscription boxes — themed grab bags featuring work from represented artists. Each box includes:

  • 5 small artworks created specifically for that box

  • A hands-on activity with materials and instructions

  • A piece of Provocation Station merch (e.g. badge, magnet, pen)

  • A printed letter outlining the theme and artist bios

  • Custom packaging including a printed box, branded tissue, and a Provocation Station sticker seal

The subscription boxes have their own rhythm. Not everything fits — and that’s okay.
Each item needs to work within the format: small-scale, low-cost to produce (roughly a few dollars per item, within reason), and able to live alongside other works in a tactile, themed collection. It’s less about squeezing in your favourite piece, and more about designing something for the box.

Works created for boxes are exclusive to that edition — they won’t be sold elsewhere in the same form — but artists are encouraged to share the work online or in their portfolio. Everything else about representation is non-exclusive — you’re free to sell, exhibit, or collaborate elsewhere as you choose.

Artists contributing to the box receive both a flat design fee and a per-box payment based on how many are sold. For handmade items (like earrings or ceramics), we work on a per-piece payment model. Production help may be available for selected items.

Payment & Logistics

  • We operate on a monthly payout cycle, with clear sales reporting

  • For particularly large sales, we process payment once funds have cleared and the item has been received safely and in good condition

  • If an issue arises in transit, we’ll work with both the buyer and the artist to resolve it fairly. Artists aren’t penalised for things outside their control — but we do need to make sure the work arrives safely and holds up as promised

  • All payments are made in NZD, via bank transfer, Wise, or PayPal

  • We work from clear, transparent models — but everything is open to kōrero. The goal is fairness, not formula

  • Artists are responsible for their own tax obligations. Provocation Station is not GST-registered at this stage, so prices are inclusive

How to Express Interest

If this sounds like your kind of space, get in touch.
Email artists@provocationstation.com with:

  • A short intro to who you are and where you’re based

  • 3–5 examples of your work (images or links)

  • A brief description of what you’d like to make available (print, object, zine, etc.)

We’re not in a rush, and we’re not trying to scale. If it fits, we’ll know.

We’re not here to be anti-commerce — we’re here to do it differently. To try things. To support artists in ways that are sustainable, ethical, and true to their kaupapa — even within systems that weren’t built for us. We’ll keep adjusting until we find what works.