Heritage focus

Artist Rona Ngahuia Osborne stands before one of her paintings. Photo / Babiche Martens.

Artist Rona Ngahuia Osborne's latest exhibition is on now at The Lane Gallery, with pieces on display made up almost entirely of recycled tongue and groove panelling from an old villa.

"It is about the destruction of our forests, and the connection between this and the wood made into something as part of our heritage," explains Osborne, whose own heritage is a mix of Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Maori, all of which heavily inform her work.

Her signature is a mix of art and craft, examining cultural identity, colonisation and Maori motifs. Osborne also creates handcrafted blankets, quilts and cushions for Kingsland boutique, Native Agent. She tells us what her favourite inspiring things are right now.

1. Whanau
My most favourite thing is spending time with my family. We have two girls, Huia and Ngaio, who are the most precious things in my life. Our parents are really involved in our day-to-day lives, and this is really important. We try to make our working lives wrap around the needs of our kids. It's one of the perks of being self-employed. But it also results in more late nights than I would like.

2. Going bush
I long to return to the Hokianga where I grew up. My parents live there still. Our house is in the bush, with no power and no cellphone coverage. which is like heaven. I wish I had more time to tramp, camp and swim up there. It is so quiet and makes you realise the important things in life have little to do with the stuff we spend all our time worrying about.

3. Reading
Books such as New Zealand history and good novels. I love to curl up in a comfy seat and read. We don't have a television, so reading and watching movies is our escape. Currently on my bedside table are Nga Uruora, The groves of life, by Geoff Park, which is about the natural history of New Zealand, Maori Architecture, by Diedre Brown and The Viewing Platform, by Ian Wedde. All have been influences on my latest paintings.

4. Bob McDonald couch
Bob is a local designer who makes wonderful contemporary furniture. Our house is full of eclectic old and industrial stuff, but the mix of old and new works really well. The couch looks fantastic, it doubles as spare bed, and is more comfortable than I thought possible. Now all I want to do is stay in on a Friday night and watch movies on the couch!

5. Contemporary art
Art is food for the soul. Looking at other people's work and visiting the Auckland Museum are two things I do if I need inspiration. The best show I've seen recently was a retrospective of Yinka Shonibare's work at the Auckland City Gallery. I have also been really lucky to share a studio with Brett Graham and have been watching him work on his latest show. The carving patterns in his recent work are just beautiful.

6. Feathers
I collect feathers - these remind me of birds which were so unique in our landscape and are no longer here. Feathers appear as motifs in my work.

7. Hot pools
Our family has a real passion for hot water. Thermal pools are so good. When up north we go to Ngawha Springs, which is like nowhere else on earth. I love the conversations you have in these places. All pools are different and have completely unique healing properties if you know who to ask. When we travel this is always on our list of things to do.

8. Costume
I am currently working on the costume design for a play called Flintlock Musket, written by Kirk Torrance (Outrageous Fortune). This combines so many of the things I love - theatre, art, fabric, clothes.

9. Gardening
Growing vegetables and native plants - there is nothing better than growing your own food. Apart from our vegetable garden, we have filled our garden with natives. I like using the shapes of native plants such as flax.

10. Op shops and demo yards
I have a weakness for these places. I justify my passion by saying it is for my work. But the truth is I can't help myself. I love the textures of old wood, paint and building materials. I love the history of these things. Old clothing and fabric too is so captivating. I could spend hours rummaging. Often the things I find will dictate the direction my work will go in.

My latest show at the Lane Gallery is almost entirely made from recycled tongue and groove panelling from an old villa in Avondale. It is about the destruction of our forests and the connection between this and the wood made into something as part of our heritage.

* Haunted Landscapes, by Rona Ngahuia Osborne, is on at The Lane Gallery until Saturday November 7.