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.
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.