KEY POINTS:
Anna Church makes a living out of her talent for an aesthetic arrangement. As a freelance stylist working for a number of leading New Zealand interior magazines and homeware brands, she has carved a niche for herself as an expert in creating the visual manifestation of an idea. Anna has taken her talents one step further and created a series of artworks. With her fantastic spin on New Zealand icons, with Tiki Lynn, this theme is continued into her new works with Swan Lake & Forget Me Not, Cameo and Necklace.
Anna chose to be photographed at Drummonds Antiques in Auckland's Anzac Ave because "this has been a place where I find many props for photo shoots and it is a great place to gather inspiration".
This Friday, from 6-8pm, an exhibition of Anna's artworks, alongside Nikki Apse's Topographical series of prints, opens at Momentum Gallery, 1/182 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. The exhibition runs until December 13.
Ten favourite things
1 Juliette Hogan I'm wearing a dress of hers in this photo taken at Drummonds Antiques. Undoubtedly one of New Zealand's brightest young fashion designers. Making waves instantly after establishing her label in 2004 with her ability to blur the line between classic femininity and contemporary fashion. Her careful selection of textiles, textures and colours make for functional yet beautiful garments. Each piece is modern yet shrouded in a timeless quality, making it able to surpass the seasons.
2 Cushions Especially the latest ones out of the gorgi.co.nz design incubator - particularly Nikki Apse's In the News (I am lucky enough to have the original artwork hanging at home) and the "Love Us Don't Hunt Us" range by Penny Stotter Miss Tiki Lynn has also made her way from the wall to the couch. Cushions are available on the Gorgi website, www.gorgi.co.nz
3"Over The Hills And Far Away" lamp Designed by Clare Page and Harry Richardson, each lamp is custom-made, constructed from an assortment of found objects and kitsch miscellany to produce a completely unique design. Each lamp is signed by the designer team. Available from Design 55, 55 Upper Queen St.
4 Deborah Bowness wallpaper art
Her work has a playful sophistication that combines wallpaper panels with photography. Salvaged vintage chairs, lamps, bookshelves, filing drawers and frocks adorn each drop with a nostalgic treatment. Each drop is a piece of art. I stumbled across one of her lamp wallpaper drops whilst out prop-sourcing and had one of those "I must have" moments. I now have it hanging in my office at home and continue to adore it.
5 Gala chair by Franco Albini This is at the top of my wish list. This piece of furniture became the icon of his career. It was produced primarily in the 50s. The stylistic variety suggests a dislike on his part for adherence to a singular aesthetic. His 1950 "Margherita" and "Gala" chairs, made of woven cane, were intrinsic elements within the growing movement during that period to revitalise arts and craft traditions. Still in production to this day, the Gala chair is available in New Zealand at Georgi Gregg Home in Parnell.
6 Fresh Flowers I love placing fresh arrangements in old Agee jars and Crown Lynn vases around my home. I especially like my trips to visit my favourite florist, Poppy Jones in Eden Terrace, where I can sit down and enjoy a great coffee amongst her amazing floral arrangements. Just heaven!
7 Home book by Anita Kaushal, photography by Penny Wincer. It is enriched with beautiful emotive imagery and accessible ideas. It's one of my first ports of call when I need inspiration.
8 WAS billboard bags These bags have it all: uniqueness, practicality, durability and eco-friendliness (I'm obsessed with them, three satchels, a tote and a clutch!). WAS bags are made from recycled billboards that would ordinarily be destined for the dump. Each bag is hand-crafted in New Zealand. www.was.co.nz
9 Homebase collections
"Holiday" fabrics designed by the very talented New Zealand artist, Leanne Curly. They are a visual extension of my ethos and fit perfectly with the things I surround myself with in my house. The range is about the love of nature, our sense of place in New Zealand, softness and simplicity treading lightly on the planet and enjoying the simple things. The Holiday range reflects these values. The colourways are restful and designs comfortingly familiar but simply contemporary. www.homebasecollections.co.nz
10 The Farmers market at Britomart Fresh, seasonal, quality fruit and vegetables, eggs, meat, olives and olive oils, condiments, coffee, artesan breads and much more - direct from local growers, farmers and makers. The market operates all year long on Saturdays between 8.30am & 12.30pm on a site behind the Britomart Train station, on Gore Street. And now on Wednesday from 4.30pm-6.30pm, which is a perfect time for me to nip in and grab some fresh produce for dinner before I catch the boat home. www.cityfarmersmarket.co.nz
Turn up on the opening night of Anna's exhibition and go in the draw to win some extremely stylish Gorgi NZ cushions with Church's Tiki Lynn & Apse's in the news prints plus a Dick Frizzell Mickey to Tiki Tu Meke fine art reproduction print. Enter to win online at www.momentumgallery.co.nz
