Behind the scenes at the WORKROOM photo shoot- Oooh ah!

I just got in from an exciting day shooting our pieces in the studio. I really love doing this and seeing our work in the crisp studio. Tony our photographer is such a great guy that really wants to do the best he can for you- making sure the lighting is perfect- lighting lights can be quite tricky. Thanks to Dad and Paul who transported the table in and out and thanks to Kylie for being the best assistant as well as taking these wonderful snaps. Lastly thanks to Jafa for there wonderful tuna nicoise and ceasar that we had to celebrate after.

R

Cornelia Parker 'No man's land'

Very EXCITED about the Cornelia Parker show at Two Rooms gallery. We went along to the opening tonight and it was delightful to see a snippet of her work in the flesh. I have just borrowed the above images from the Two rooms website- they are not exactly what was on show. There was a trumpet rendered in the same way that the silver teapot is (pictured). One in tact and one squashed- I was quite taken with this piece- pure elegance!

I liked the series of smaller works also- wire drawings very subtle but still in there own way captivating and then there was, I don't know the official word for it, but paper folded and then opened up to reveal prints- but done with snake venom and antidote- black and white in coloring these were quite special (please forgive me if I have not quite got the details of these works correct)

A really nice surprise, so often the 'B' list artist is like the wind beneath the wings, was the up stairs show by Joachim Bandau, with a series of mesmerising water colours. I really like them. Very delicate. I have not come across this artists work before but I am certainly intrigued to find out some more.

So all and all a show well worth visiting! On till the 11 of April at Two Rooms gallery, 16 Putiki Street, Newton.

R

Welcome to Michelle Beattie

Please welcome Michelle Beattie. Michelle and I went through Whitecliffe together and in fact we met on our very first day at art school and have remained very good friends since.

This is a photographic series titled Out of the blue and into the black, taken from a song title that Michelle finds her self repeating or revisiting subconsciously (not unlike when we get a song stuck in our heads). She draws parallels from these subconscious and 'half aware states' to these 'i've seen a million times before' grey days that she has photographed.

In capturing these scenes, which we might normally overlook, Michelle contemplates them and makes up her own narratives of what might be unfolding- "these scenes are not demanding anything from me."

In a time when hard hitting and shock value photography appears to be at the forefront these images are a breath of fresh air. They are familiar, emotive and some-what comforting. I have always had a soft spot for Michelle's sensitivity in her aesthetic- the subtlety of the greens and greys are truly superb.

Thank you Michelle for your work!

R

These works are available at Workroom store- Please contact me through the Workroom website www.workroom.net.nz

Katydid Paper Goods

These are a selection of oh so gorgeous cards made by Katydid Paper Goods in Wellington. This new lot just arrived and they are really quite special.

Thanks Katie!

R

Are you blind ref

Are you blind Ref
enamel on canvas 127 x 127 cm

I am really quite excited about this painting by Richard Lewer. He has a show on at the Orexart gallery (opposite the New gallery- Auckland city) titled You can't win them all, running till march 6. He won the Wallace awards in 2008 with a work on a pool table like surface (it might actually have been a found pool table-not sure) with a chalk-like line drawing, for some reason seeing these works makes that work appear a lot stronger. Anyway, very inspirational (for lack of a better word) quick march- off to the studio!

R

I am fond of birds and horses...

These are a series of drawings that I have done over the last few years. Growing up on a farm I was never far from a horse and I was always attempting to draw them- so therefore I have had ALOT of practice. Birds, a newer found fondness, are a wonderful subject matter. I Don't think I'll be busting out the oil paints however, I find them complicated enough in grey tones.

R

Thank you Helen

This is a drawing (these are prints of) done by great aunt Helen Brown when she was aged 14. She was a celebrated Auckland artist in the 1950's and 1960's and was represented by the John Leech gallery. Her more famous works were more minimal/simplified seascapes in oils, they are quite breath taking. But the above work has been with me since I was a child- it was beside my bed at night- I used to imagine being in the night scene with the witches and creatures. It is my most precious possession.

Having Helen in our family has alway 'pre-laid' a path for myself, as she was successful in her pursuit, therefore my career has appeared more tangible- if that makes sense. Although I never knew her as an adult, she passed when I was six, I feel i have some sort of connection to her. I often think and wonder what she would do in situations that I find myself in.

So thank you Helen

I hope to organise a exhibition to honor her next year.

R

Brendan van den Bosch

Welcome to Brendan van den Bosch's covetable three colour silkscreen prints. They really capture your eye as well as playing with words, messages and social commentary- these works operate on many levels- as good work dose. They are 549 x 840 mm making the colour bold and dynamic (images don't give them justice). They are beautifully executed- thanks Brendan can't wait for some more work from you!

R

Gen's Jewels continued...

Hi,

I just needed to add this post to reiterate how beautiful Genevieve Packers Jewellery is. I am particularly fond of the rings that are individual but can be built up as a cross section.

In sterling silver these pieces are that extra bit special.

R

DS stool revisited

We have just completed this stool in the lighter toned timber. Dad and I have always made this stacking stool, right from when we first started our practice- and I cannot take the full credit on design. This was Dads Idea and we have refined it over time.

They are made from 100% recycled timber and the dark toned stools are primarily mahogany and the light toned are a combination of Tawa and Vitex- farmed sustainably in the Solomon islands.

Very pleased that we had some off cuts of timber to recreate this covetable design.

R

Genevieve Packer

Well I am very excited to announce that as of the end of this week, we are welcoming Genevieve Packer to our store. We will have a selection of her cushions and jewelry.

Thank you Genevieve for joining us and thank you to fancy blog for pointing me in her direction.

R

Our New Table Design- Saw horse Table

Hello, sorry that there hasn't been any posts in a while. This one should make up for it. This is our NEW design- I am so thrilled with it (I didn't have my camera with me today so these shots are taken from my phone so they are not the best) I couldn't wait to share.

This piece is made from 100% recycled timber and there is a blend of Kauri and Rimu. The design is something that we have wanted to do for a while as the 'trestle' table has been voguish of late- This is more of a saw horse interpretation- I feel that this marries in with our over all ideas and feel.

I can't stop staring at it... She's a beauty!

R

Ecological Outdoor Furniture

This is a design that we have been working on and off for the last three months. We wanted to do an outdoor table, purely because we like this timber called Vitex. Vitex is directly marketed against other hardwood timbers such as Kwila as is comes from a sustainable source. 

I like it as it ages gracefully in the elements and ends up a beautiful silver tone and refrains from giving you splinters. The design itself uses stainless steel hinges allowing the pieces to be folded down compacted for storage. The Vitex dose have a wonderful hard quality to it and has a life expectancy of approximately 40 years, mainly used in decking we look forward to using this ecological product more and more.

R