The Good, The Bad (and everything in between)

“My name is Gary Silipa and I run The Good The Bad Gallery here in Glen Innes.

I’m a first generation New Zealand born Samoan. My family moved to Tripoli Rd, Panmure in the early 80’s when I was only a few months old.

Tāmaki is home. I still live here. There would have to be a big reason to leave. I imagine living here for the rest of my life.

My favourite thing about living in Tāmaki are my memories connected to this place. I did my schooling at Point England kindy, Ruapotaka Primary, Tāmaki Intermediate and then went to high school outside of Tāmaki. As kids we’d hang out at the spacey (Space Invaders) parlour, go to Swimarama or climb Maungarei every weekend, and play rugby league at Pt England reserve.

I’ve always loved art and was painting graffiti around the neighbourhood as a teenager. I was encouraged to find a career that pays well so I studied Computer Science at University of Auckland and worked full time in the IT industry for almost 10 years. In my spare time you’d catch me painting graffiti on the train line. I gave up a lot in order to pursue a career in the arts in 2011. I had no idea what I was doing and had to learn on the fly but it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I started The Good The Bad Gallery in 2015. It’s the first art gallery in Tāmaki. Back then we started in a vacant space above Nicola Johns Pharmacy in Glen Innes.

The name of the gallery is a metaphor for life. It’s a place that shows what life is – the good, the bad, and everything in between. I love making art and watching people engage with it.

“The name of the gallery is a metaphor for life. It’s a place that shows what life is – the good, the bad, and everything in between.”

I love how art brings people together, and how it is used as a visual way to communicate ideas and feelings.

I have high hopes and aspirations for this place. We are an independent artist-run space, which has its challenges.

But we’ve been able to produce nine exhibitions this year with 73 artists. Most are local or have connections to Tāmaki, and for a lot of them it meant showing their art in public for the first time.

I’m blessed to meet and work with so many amazing local artists and do what I love.

I hope to continue to improve our plans and processes so we can be open more regularly. This year was great after a few really tough years and I thank God we’re still here and for the growing support from the local community.

A massive thanks to TRC for supporting the arts in Tāmaki and understanding how it can improve community wellbeing. Thanks also to TGTB Charitable Trust and everyone who has supported the gallery over the years and in the years to come. The future of the arts in Tāmaki is exciting.

Drop by the gallery and say hello or contact us online. We’re a small, dedicated team that’s keen to help wherever we can.