KEY POINTS:
Product designer Hayley Wolf says she's inspired by the culture and landscape of New Zealand. And this shows clearly in her first release, the limited edition Bead lamp. It looks like a glowing seed pod, something more likely to be seen wafting in the dunes on a windswept beach than hanging in a lounge.
"I work to blend beautiful forms with functionality," explains Wolf. She hopes to start collaborating more with other local artists and designers soon, "because the number of people interested in locally designed products is growing.
"We just need to fill the gaps in the market and continue with our high standards of quality and ingenuity."
MY 10 FAVOURITE THINGS
1. Charms of Beauty necklace. This delicate necklace is made by Auckland jeweller Alice Benson out of a series of charms. I particularly like the foil from a wine bottle that's been taken away from its first, practical use and turned into body adornment. Alice's jewellery often questions people's perceptions of what is valuable and challenges the traditional notion of jewellery.
2. Algae by the Bouroullec Brothers.
The algae-shaped pieces create a curtain which divides interior spaces. The idea of making a complex visual display from multiples of one small shape really interests me.
3. Bead Lamp.
This is my favourite of all the things I've designed. Bead is an organically inspired, pendant lamp, made from transparent and opaque layers. The order of the layers can be changed.
4. Constellation by Jonny McDonald.
This composition of large bulbs held together by bent stainless steel wire forms a light. It's on display at Simon James Design.
5. Glass sculptures by Galia Amsel.
This artist creates complex glass sculptures which are large, but also delicate-looking. I admire the skill involved in casting these sculptures.
6. Design magazines.
I read Pol Oxygen and Urbis. They're one of my favourite ways to stay informed about what's new in design.
7. Droog design.
These collaborations are on the boundary of art and design. And I love the wit and the conceptual ideas they use.
8. Misery artwork.
Besides liking the work of local artist Tanya Thompson, I also like how successful she has become. It's inspiring that she entered the male-dominated world of graffiti art and became one of New Zealand's most successful young artists.
9. Objectspace on Ponsonby Rd.
It's great to have a gallery dedicated to new objects and product design and which supports local artists and designers.
10. My digital camera and a notebook.
I like to carry these with me because ideas and inspiration can come at any time and it's important to capture them.
