Take seat and absorb the art
By JACKIE RUSSELL

Monday, 03 May 2010

Photography by KERRIE-ANNE van HEERDEN.
Photography by KERRIE-ANNE van HEERDEN.
Katie Brown's Karakau chandelier is contemporary glass art.
Katie Brown's Karakau chandelier is contemporary glass art.
TRANSFORMING a living room from a place to slouch about with a coffee and good book into a piece of interactive art takes inspiration and talent. And, the vision of Melissa Elliott, curator of Uxbridge, Howick’s creative centre, has pulled together a haven of stylish domesticity that brings oohs and aahs from all those who venture into The Living Room exhibition.

Melissa wanted to showcase lights as a contemporary art, rather than conventional displays found in shops. A handful of New Zealand artists have presented light in original forms, which have been complemented with décor designed by 4 legs. The Epsom interior design company specialises in reinvented and antique furniture and accessories.

In The Living Room visitors can touch, sit and even read a magazine while they absorb the workmanship surrounding them.

Katie Brown’s blown glass Karakau chandelier is a brilliant highlight among textured wallpaper and fabrics, and a Beetles cushion plonked on an inviting sofa.

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REVOLUTION: Chinese Garden Window design by Chan Andreassend surrounded by Mao Zedong decor.
REVOLUTION: Chinese Garden Window design by Chan Andreassend surrounded by Mao Zedong decor.
Karen Chan and Ronald Andreassend are inspired by organic shapes and their lamps represent bubbles and sand dunes. A real stunner is Great Grandmother’s Teapot, nestled between cosy armchairs upholstered with what could have been her favourite checked, woollen blanket.

In sleek contrast, Catherine David’s red and white Kiss and Kruez lamps illuminate a kiwiana sheep armchair while an Urchin and Frangipani by Joug Design glow from above. An antique leopard skin seat begs to be touched as light is cast over the classic furniture from Kevin Webby’s minimalist natural hoop pine, Lady Jane table lamp.

Ultra-contemporary works by Cameron Broadhurst and KatyPie creatively use light in a two-dimensional form.

Cameron uses light as a paintbrush in his photography, which is displayed on a flat- screen television positioned in front of an arm chair. KatyPie has used acrylic, resin and wood and given new life to traditional kowhaiwhai, which communicates stories of iwi, tapuna and legends.

Rush to Uxbridge and catch the last days of The Living Room exhibition, which closes on May 6. Be prepared to kick back, relax and maybe make a purchase.