Art & Design
Returning to former gloryMonday, 15 February 2010
LARGE rolling rural estates with an Elizabethan tower thrown in for good measure are unimaginable features of New Zealand landscapes. However, for Adam Nicolson, author of Sissinghurst an Unfinished History growing up on an English estate, rich with tales of times past, was a perfectly normal childhood.
Santas around every cornerTuesday, 08 December 2009
Let it be coloured red and green, and sparkle with lights, and everyone will know it’s the festive season. Add a sprinkling of carols, a dash of Santas and snowmen and a scene is set that guarantees to melt the most bah humbug Christmas Grinch.
Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...Tuesday, 08 December 2009
Local dressmaker Patricia Venning is well known for her bridal skills however, a new festive artwork shows she has a way with needle and thread that far exceeds the wedding wardrobe.
Collage rekindles artistic talentWednesday, 11 November 2009
Robin Cusdin’s enthusiasm for her art is catching; her enthusiasm for life even more infectious if that’s possible.
Cultural artefacts reflect heritageTuesday, 03 November 2009
A home is a canvas to be painted. It reflects your tastes, interests and life history. Whether you are a born-and-bred Kiwi, or took your first breath thousands of miles away, your home is an extension of who you are.
The art of pressed flowersMonday, 19 October 2009
Exquisitely handcrafted pieces of pressed flower art that have graced New Zealand for a short time are leaving onlookers short of breath.
Glass art shatters conventionMonday, 12 October 2009
Introducing artwork to a home commonly involves being captivated by a creation and then locating a position, where light and surrounding artefacts best complement the new piece.
A home less ordinaryThursday, 13 August 2009
Head into your average home-ware store and what do you see? Row upon row of virtually identical plates, mugs and bowls. Flawlessly made, homogenous and unmistakably impersonal.
Let there be lightTuesday, 28 July 2009
Once man worked out how to make fire, the flickering flame in its many forms has captivated humans. However, with the advent of modern lighting, cooking and heating appliances, people seldom have the pleasure of watching flames work their magic in domestic settings. Maybe this obsession has also been replaced by the entrancing flicker of television screens.
Priceless pieces restored by mastersTuesday, 21 July 2009
Fix up the old and flag the new, Wrightway Studios is a labyrinth of restoration treasures and trinkets. From ceramics to paintings, pricey oriental vases to snow globes, the Dolly Hospital to an 1800s Bible – Wrightway’s motto is ‘we don’t say no to anyone’ – which makes their work especially varied.