Mercury Plaza: Origins + New Beginnings

Overview

More than 2500 people signed a petition in 2016 to save Mercury Plaza. Unfortunately that wasn't quite enough for Auckland Council, and the beloved food court affectionately known as 'Mercs' is being demolished to make way for the City Rail Link.

Before the iconic food hall meets the steamroller and Maruten Ramen, E-Sarn WOK and Chinese Cuisine are gone for good, it will transform into a site for art and creativity. Mercs has historic ties to the Chinese community; the owners being some of the original Chinese fruit and vegetable shop owners on Karangahape Road. The Mercury Plaza: Origins + New Beginnings exhibition will celebrate Chinese artists in Tāmaki Makaurau with the overarching themes of 'origins' and 'new beginnings'.

Curated by local artists Joni Lee and Jia Luo, the exhibition will take over two major areas of Mercs, including a giant wall by the entrance and the ramp access next to New Gum Sarn Supermarket. Featured artists include: Ant Sang, Ross Liew, Tim Lambourne, Ruby White, Lindsay Yee, Jia Luo, Pon Huey Min, Ruth Woodbury, Norman Wei, Mona Muchao Cui, Frankie Chu, Lisa Li, Qian-Ye Lin and Diana Hu.

Mercury Plaza: Origins + New Beginnings will run from 14 August (9.45am–9pm) with the closing celebration taking place on Saturday, 14 September (5–9pm). The final day of the show will see artists break open their surprise-filled sculptures to welcome a new beginning in Mercury Lane. 

Stay up to date via @mercuryplazashow.