Jennifer Buckley's favourite things

Auckland Art Fair director Jennifer Buckley photographed in her home. Photo / Babiche Martens

Auckland Art Fair founder Jennifer Buckley believes art is the domain of all. Here she shares her own unique aesthetic.

Jennifer Buckley wants to combat some of the myths behind collecting art - that you must be rich; the more expensive, the better the art; that you need an art eduction to really appreciate it; that the art world is intimidating. Buckley is the co-founder and director of the Auckland Art Fair, a weekend-long event that will feature more than 40 leading New Zealand and Australian galleries exhibiting and selling around 600 works - with the aim of making art accessible and fun for everyone. As well as the works on offer, there will also be panel discussions, tours, artists talks and a keynote lecture by Artforum's Knight Landesman. Buckley, whose own first art purchase was a small black and white photo of the back of a woman's legs, talks us through some of her favourite things.

10 FAVOURITE THINGS

1. Seung Yul Oh sculpture

A glossy Pantone pink wonder that looks like a pterodactyl landed and laid a giant egg on our dining table. It's odd but pretty fabulous. Great conversation starter: What the ...?

2. Hammock

Purchased in the Amazon in 1986, I carried it around for 15 years without anywhere to hang it (literally or metaphorically). It is now in the perfect spot, suspended from the pohutukawa tree over our deck at Waiheke. Seats two for cocktails. It's definitely my happy place.

3. Cedar library ladder

Bought it at a second-hand store in New Plymouth and drove all the way back to Auckland with it strapped to the roof of our Toyota Corolla. Wobbles like crazy when you climb the rungs but the danger is part of its charm.

4. The Viaduct Events Centre

On the waterfront, designed by Gordon Moeller. The Art Fair is the very first event in this new waterfront icon. Its wavy roof and glass walls make it the perfect building for the site.

5. John Fluevog shoes

Incredible edgy footwear designed in my hometown, Vancouver, since 1974. They are all gorgeous but these black pumps have the sexiest heels in town.

6. John Edgar greenstone pendant

A cool sliver of green disc that is tactile and smooth, and feels like a magic talisman around my neck.

7. Richard Lewer Make Up Love Scene Number 6

Purchased from his first show with OREXART in 1996, the year I met him and the year he met his wife Kerryn who is the subject of the painting. She has cute pigtails.

8. "Wacky" my Peruvian artefact

It is an Incan burial vessel purchased from a dodgy street vendor on a Lima side street. It must have held something good because the face on it is such a happy one.

9. "Scotties Galore" quilt

Sewn especially for me by my friend Carole. Having an iconic looking dog means you tend to acumulate a lot of memorabilia -like socks, knickers, plates, doorstops - so to have something so beautiful, created just for us, is really special.

10. Jim Cooper crazy pink cat

I bought this ceramic piece from an image a friend emailed me. I had been out late the night before and was feeling a little under the weather. The cat looked a lot like I felt, and I couldn't resist.

* Auckland Art Fair, August 4-7, Viaduct Events Centre, 161 Halsey Street, Auckland. Tickets $20 from iTicket.co.nz, $25 door sales.