WHAT KEEPS ME INSPIRED ...
I have been working with ... four contemporary painters on an exhibition called Penthouse. I am really looking forward to presenting these works to collectors in a downtown penthouse space later this year.
I’m keen to visit ... MONA in Tasmania as a first port of call. By all accounts it is absolutely phenomenal. I have been enjoying ... the refreshing line-up that is on offer at the Hollywood Avondale. It is a unique cinema with its own distinct curation.
A cause that’s close to my heart is ... NZ’s unique flora and fauna, something that numerous artists such as Bill Hammond and Don Binney (pictured) are famous for referencing. I am a fan of the work that Forest and Bird do and am wholeheartedly behind the effort to protect what makes our country such an inspirational place for creatives.
I have been reading ... Ralph Hotere’s biography, The Dark is Light Enough, by Vincent O’Sullivan.
I’m listening to ... Nick Drake. I have an eclectic taste and love good music across most genres. I am really looking forward to seeing s live music again.
My most recent purchase is ... a work by Imogen Taylor, bought at a fundraising auction for the Wellington City Gallery exhibition of Hilma af Klint. Taylor’s work is a playful take on the tradition of abstraction that pushes the genre into a new realm. The work is intriguing on many levels, but on face value I am just drawn to her confident use of colour and composition to make genuinely beautiful paintings.
I discovered local label Penny Sage recently and bought one of my favorite dresses there. I love that it is off the beaten track and a bit harder to find.
I do love a market and the opportunity to scour through secondhand items to find a gem. Quality vintage pieces are now a lot harder to find but it is fantastic when you do.
A restaurant I like is ... Bar Celeste on K Rd is a lively and intimate spot. The food on offer is fantastic and, paired with warm service, it is a great destination for a special dinner.
I adore ... @Themodernpreserver on Instagram. Kylee Newton and I went through art school together and it is fantastic to see the people you love being so successful. She launched an amazing career in London and has recently returned to New Zealand after the launch of her second cookbook, The Modern Preserver’s Kitchen.