Regional artists makeWOWfinals

Four garments made by creatives from the Nelson region have been selected as finalists in this year’s WOW Awards.

The eight designers worked either alone, in pairs, or as a family group.

Mike Ward, a finalist 18 times, paired up with his son Jonty Ward. Their joint effort Bridget will appear in this years Illumination Illusion section.

Ward senior admitted that he was not into the latest technology and preferred to use traditional materials and techniques.

‘‘I’m old, I don’t use new technology,’’ Ward said. ‘‘We made Bridget using very old technology; lots of canvas, lots of paint and a hand operated sewing machine.’’

Motueka artist Sue Cederman is a finalist for the 15th time, while Golden Bay creatives Toy Murchie and Kas Muller are finalists for the sixth time.

Their Open Section entry, Compact Dancer 49, is made completely from re-cycled materials, includ- ing old fencing wire.

The idea for the costume came while they were working on sculptures for an exhibition about movement and dance.

‘‘We were in the zone, so it was a natural progression to make a WOW entry of the same theme,’’ Murchie said.

Nelson Mail photographer Martin de Ruyter, working with his wife Karen Stade and son Troy Stade, are finalists for the second time.

Their garment The Art of New York City is in the Avant Garde section. With 11,000 components from the aircraft industry used in the garment, the family all pitched in with the repetitive construction.

De Ruyter said he had now streamlined the processes when making an entry such as ‘‘using a precise foot controlled jeweller’s drill for making all the holes.’’

There are 103 finalist garments by 121 designers from 14 countries. Forty-eight are from New Zealand. All finalist garments will be onstage at the WOW awards show in Wellington from September 21 to October 8.