Art one can afford

It was a case of First Time Browser Meets Talented First Time Exhibitor, when Cyndi Greep visited Wellington's Affordable Art Show where all artworks are priced under $5000.Running since 2005, the annual event is a three day exhibition of art held at TSB Centre in the capital, and includes an opening gala evening followed by public days. The Affordable Art Show encourages New Zealanders to celebrate their identity and culture by buying local art. The objective of the New Zealand Affordable Art Trust, a charitable trust, is to “facilitate, promote, educate and foster support for new, emerging and established artists”. All art displayed at the exhibition is for sale and each work has to be priced under $5,000. Artists also have the option of paying for an entire wall to display a number of their works. I asked a first time exhibitor how she became involved in this year's Affordable Art exhibition. Ange Lee, a Wellington artist who works in a medium of abstract painting using oil and canvas, heard about Affordable Art through friends. “I thought it would be a really good way to test the market" says Lee. "For years, I have dabbled in painting. Over the last couple of years I have become serious about it and this is a great way to start exhibiting. This art show is an excellent way for the general public to see new and emerging artists display their creations in a way they may not necessary usually market their work." Lee says she is influenced by Eastern philosophy, and quantum mechanics.You may not know a lot about art, but you'll know what you like. Get along to the Affordable Art Show and discover the Next Big Thing while you can still afford them.

Photo – emerging Wellington artist Ange Lee.

The Big Fashion Shwop

Go sustainable shopping and Keep the Claws in at The Big Shwop, says Cynthia Greep... The Big Shwop (a hybrid word combining shop/swop) was held in Wellington at the Southern Cross bar last weekend. The Big Shwop is an initiative where shoppers exchange fashionable, unwanted, quality garments for vouchers. Shoppers cash in the vouchers for clothes that have been exchanged by others. The Big Shwop encourages New Zealanders to buy local, ethically-made fashion with a focus on reducing, reusing and recycling as much as possible.A glass of complimentary vino from sponsor Momo Marlborough was poured for all shoppers and spot prizes were donated from Eco Store. Undertaken on a budget of zilch and with volunteer assistance, the event was extremely well organised and attended with assistance from Starfish, the Southern Cross and a live DJ.I traded in a white top I had never worn for a vintage white vinyl jacket. A friend came away with a vintage-style tennis dress and a striped puff-sleeve jacket. With clothing that was not traded given away to charity organisations, it was a very well organised and enjoyable shopping experience with a touch of finesse. Here's to the next one- planned for December 2008 - at a bigger venue please! I'll have a lot more unwanted shopping to be swapping by then...Photo – two happy shwoppers chilling out with a cuppa tea and admiring their newfound bounty.Cynthia Greep, 8 August 2008

Gorgeous Girls

I first came across Narina’s works at the Affordable Art Show held last month in Wellington where she had a wall devoted to her pop-surrealist style portraits of ‘precious’ girls, and this month attended her first major Wellington exhibition opening held at the Rex Royale boutique in Wellington’s artist quarter, Cuba Street.
I overheard some exhibition guests marvelling at Narina's works and saying that she would sell out in New York. Of that I am sure. Narina, a self-taught artist, creates pop-surrealist style portraits of gorgeous, ‘precious’ girls. And these girls and Narina have a fantastic future ahead of them.
Her stylised cartoon-like works, constructed with acrylic on canvas and 3-D touches portray the innocence of youth. Narina started to paint the girls to deal with the pain and grief of losing her sister and these memories, of a childhood touched by sadness are reflected in the pretty characters she creates.
As each wee girl comes to life, Narina’s attachment to each of them intensifies, however she hopes that wherever they end up they'll be loved just as much as she loves creating them. She says “I kind of like to think that out of tragedy came beauty, and I feel lucky to have had a creative outlet to deal with my pain. The cool part is how my girls have gone from being dark and sad to a bit more grown-up and content. Now they kind of look a little bit happy. Not jumping for joy but hey we’re getting there”.

Narina has had three solo exhibitions in Auckland and participated in the Illicit group show in 2005, before moving to Wellington where she continues to produce her truly precious girls. The exhibition runs at Rex Royale, 106 Cuba Street throughout September 2008 and Narina can be contacted at stnz@clear.net.nzPictured above: Narina and her work.

Photo thanks to Citylife and Emma Allen.
Cynthia Greep, September 2008

Rita Angus: Life and Vision

Te Papa is currently running an exhibition documenting the art and life of one of New Zealand’s most significant and loved artists, Rita Angus. The exhibition hosts 200 works, including sketches, studies, photographs, letters and of course her well-known paintings such as Cass (1936), Boats, Island Bay (1962-63) and her own self portraits. In viewing her works it is apparent that she was inspired to work with portraits and landscapes. Many well-known New Zealand iconic landscapes feature in the exhibition including scenes we can all identify with including landscapes in Wanaka, Wellington, Central Otago and Hawkes Bay. This is one of the most extensive collections of Angus’s art and the collection highlights the personal and social experiences Angus was subjected to during her lifespan. Born in 1908, Angus’s paintings reflect her spiritual journey shown with the symbolism and mysticism of the natural world evident in her work. She touches on pacifism and reflects this in her goddesses that “she regarded as her symbolic children – messengers of peace to a future generation”.Angus passed away in 1970. Her sketches of Wellington's Bolton Street cemetery are unveiled in the collection and you can only linger on what they may have been should she have finished them. The collection assists the viewer to discover the real Rita Angus, what was her driving force and the eras she lived through.Te Papa has divided her works into three distinct eras: Early Years (1929-39), A Pacifist Vision (1939 –58) and Later Journeys (1958-70). A book entitled Rita Angus: An Artist’s Life by Jill Trevelyan a co-curator of the exhibition has also been published by Te Papa.The exhibition runs from 5 July through until 5 October and with free entry how could you not give a gold coin koha to be inspired by such an artist. Cynthia Greep, September 2008

Rex Royale Art Exhibition

On a cold Friday night in Cuba Street Wellington, there was more than one reason to get dressed up. Lured into the stylish premises of Rex Royale for an art exhibition unveiling I met with Jacki Condra, owner and in-house retail therapist, and Narina, a pop-surrealist artist.
When asked why the art exhibition Jacki said “essentially it’s getting towards the end of winter – moving into spring and we are moving past the recession. We felt like drinking some bubbly and wanted to put some art on the walls after a spring clean including a fresh paint job”.Rex Royale turns 11 this year. The in-store collection has predominately a New Zealand emphasis, stocking designers from Queenstown, Wellington and Auckland, including 2008 New Zealand Fashion week labels, Stitch Ministry, Crowded Elevator and Doosh. One Australian label, pretty and feminine ‘Mimosa’ is being showcased this season and Rex Royale has recently been approached by a French label so…watch this space!Jacki says that essentially a street wear boutique, for spring we can expect to see more frocks as we are head into a girly feminine summer mixing elegant silk dresses, 1950s retro inspired fabrics and shapes with nanas crafts. For the guys, geek chic and military styles will be evident and the current lumberjack shirts are moving toward a more street savy maths teacher.Want to attend a Rex Royale event yourself? Join the Friends of Rex Royale facebook group so you too can be invited to the next fashion event.
Pictured: Singer Yulia and her husband with writer Cynthia on right. Photo thanks to City Life and Emma Allen.
Cynthia Greep, September 2008

A very curious museum

In the Museum of Curious Intent
Arlo Edwards, curator and talented Wellington artist, has put together an eclectic multimedia art exhibition showcasing work from ten of Wellington's local established and emerging artists. The show, entitled In the Museum of Curious Intent includes work by Rupert Everest, James Flynn, William Hedley, Jaymi Bizzo Lawrence, Chris Lundquist, Gareth Moon, Roger Morris, Marianne Muggeridge, Freeman White and Arlo Edwards himself.
The exhibition is made up of a range of different mediums including painting, photography and installation. It’s a collaborative exhibition and will delight both artists and viewers alike. Think antique store, Moulin Rouge, cabaret and curios.
Edwards understands artists and the struggles they face. He is community-savvy and a talented artist and curator. Edwards is usually housed at the exhibition so pop in and have a chat with him. He can explain the ashes, monkeys, robotics and suitcases to you.
In the Museum of Curious Intent runs till the 25th of October and is housed at Toi Pōneke Gallery, Able Smith Street, Wellington. Toi Pōneke Gallery exhibits work by solo artists, groups and curators, and gives priority to Wellington-based artists. Hosting around 15 exhibitions a year, the gallery supports contemporary artists, curators and established artists.
Curious? Go check it out for yourself...
Cyndi Greep, 7 October 2008.
Photograph by Emma Allen

Pearl - Wellington's Musical Gems

Music at the recent Mary Potter Hospice fashion show in Wellington was performed by the exquisite and entertaining duo Pearl, made up of the musical gems Shelley Hirini and Lisa Nimmo. Pearl performed a variety of numbers which had fashion show guests up twirling in their high heels. Both performers were dressed in Metalicus, an Australian label stocked by Desire and Hamilton & Murray of Wellington. The talented musicians are both stylish to watch and to listen to, with their charismatic and alluring stage presence. I spoke to Shelley at the fashion show about their music and their forthcoming plans. Shelley said the Pearl style “incorporates a splatter of New Zealand covers” using acoustic and vocal harmony. Pearl also has “a six-piece band that are pretty much more rock and roll and will next appear at Toast Martinborough in November”. Playing covers is just one aspect to their music; they have also have a knack for medleys where they mesh three Kiwi songs into one - and I think slightly push the listener out of their comfort zone with the unexpected result.
Pearl is planning to release their next single in 2009, with a more Japanese flavour with lyrics in Japanese. These musicians are talented. Together, the world's their oyster. Konichi wa Pearl san, gumbatte kudasai. Not that these girls will need luck. More information can be found on pearl at www.pearlband.co.nz
Cyndi Greep, 26 October 2008Photographer: Angelina LeePhoto: Shelley Hirini and Lisa Nimmo dressed in Metalicus

Cynthia Greep- styling Wellington
Wellington reviewer for Thread Cynthia Greep has a part-time fashion stylist business called Monarch Rosell. Here, she tells us a little about herself and her passion for fashion..."I have always enjoyed challenging people!" says Cynthia. "I to try put together new creations from garments they already have in their wardrobe, without having to stray too far from their comfort zone.""After experience working in fashion retail management, makeup and the hand and foot beauty industry, I was asked by people to help manage their wardrobes. They wanted me to objectively help them to find a fashion style they felt represented them, which they could wear with ease and confidence, and even assist them on shopping escapades.""This led to me forming a business - essentially as a fashion stylist - but it also incorporates practical ideas of reselling items, revamping and recycling by using local alteration services and giving wardrobe leftovers to charities.""Personally, I wear a lot of black. I am allergic to yellow. And I'm a curvy girl. People need to assess all the things that make themselves unique and work with these traits." "Why do I like the fashion in the capital? Because there is so much black!"To contact Cynthia Greep for help with your own wardrobe, and to request prices for Monarch Rosell fashion stylist services and packages, please contact her at cyndigreep@gmail.com

Mary Potter turns on the style

Wellington’s Mary Potter Hospice held an exclusive fundraising fashion show, hosted by Rutherford and Bond Toyota, with iconic local store Hamilton & Murray and its sister store Desire present up and coming summer ranges. Attended by Wellington fashionistas, Pearl performed live music at the show, Alana Estate Winery unleashed a new bubbly and pinot noir just for the event and nosh catering delivered some delectable nibbles. Guests at the show were dressed impeccably for the occasion wearing black lace gloves, lace and sequin jackets, gold chains, gold handbags -in fact gold embellishment on everything- and lots of the capital's favourite colour - black. The catwalk provided a larger array of colour including kermit green, mustard, tangerine and purple and featured an amazing range of gorgeous dresses. Labels stocked by H & M include Trelise Cooper, Angela Lewis, Calliope Road, Moss and Spy, Saga, Catalyst, Easton Pearson, Caroline Sills, Obi, Sabatini and Cooper by Trelise. Desire’s range of labels are made up of Miss Sixty Diesel, Gaudi, Pepe Jeans and Grab, IPG and Sabatini White, as well as Australian labels Chapel, Bebe, Lolita, Metalicus and Mesop, and new for the summer, Rich.Our favourites included a full spectrum of black and white ensembles which appeared at the end of the show worn by all models which mixed a variety of textured fabrics with plain satins - just divine (pictured below.)

Mary Potter Hospice events and sponsorship manager Karen Doucas hopes that the event will become an annual event and by all accounts there is good reason for it. Not only is it for a great cause, it also is the culmination of many enjoying the same theme – fashion. Look out for this event planned to be held around the same time next year.
Cyndi Greep, 20 October 2008
Photographer: Angelina Lee

Fashion recycled at Willis York salon

A vintage designer clothing fashion sale was held during the weekend at Willis York hairdressing in Wellington. The preview opening held on Friday evening was a great success with sales in full swing and buyers finding makeshift fitting rooms in the upmarket interior space to try on the gorgeous bargains to be had while listening to upbeat DJ sounds and drinking bubbles.
Willis York hairdressers is a unique open industrial space situated on the corner of Taraniki and Vivian Street in Wellington. Owner Bex Brent is passionate about utilising the space to host exhibitions and events to celebrate fashion and art. Brent said that “basically the idea of the vintage clothing sale came from a group of girls with way too many beautiful quality designer clothes in their wardrobes”.
In collaboration with graphic designer and artist Jane Kellahan the vintage clothing designer sale was launched. This was the first event of what will become an annual event but from the popularity of this one, will be more realistically a seasonal event. Around 1000 items were available for sale including top labels designer labels Zambesi, Pearl, Marilyn Sainty, Miss Lau, Girbaud, Salle Smith, Trelise Cooper, George, Rosaria Hall and RJC. Garments were all in top condition. Accessories, shoes and children's designer clothes were also up for sale.
The idea behind the clothing sale was to to move and recycle gorgeous designer clothes that fashionistas don’t wear anymore. Kellahan pointed out that there are currently forums to purchase top-quality second-hand clothing such as TradeMe but that there is a gap in the market where people can actually come and see first-hand to try on what they are buying.
The space in Willis York is open and modern, a great space for hairdressing but with couches and chandeliers and designer interiors, it also is a fabulous space for art and fashion. Brent is supportive and passionate in assisting creative individals to flourish. Artist's works are featured as a part of the space and currently include bird tiles and a doll installation.
For more information on Willis York and the next clothing sale, art works, exhibitions/installations or hairdressing contact Bex at info@willisyork.co.nz
Photos: · Owner Bex Brent and Artist/Graphic Designer Jane Kellahan· Shoppers browsing the designer garments
Photographer: Emma AllenCyndi Greep, 10 November 2008