Lucky Wellington

I have been in Wellington again for a few days for a great workshop with members of the Wellington Guild. I was fortunate enough to be taken to Minerva Bookshop in Cuba St Wellington and I was so glad as I had missed it by about one block on my first visit.

Unfortunately the owner Anne Scott wasn't there as I would have liked to have met her. She is also the founder of NZ Quilter which is a great magazine. However Clare Smith - who's work I have always admired was in there browsing so I was introduced to her and we had a nice chat.

The store is great with hundreds of textile related titles - many of which I hadn't seen before to browse which was great. Also some really interesting magazines which I had heard about but haven't seen like Selvage and 3Fold. Wellington textile artists are really lucky to have access to such a great store.

Some great textile bits and pieces too.


Also on in the store there was an exhibition called Illumination – which was a NANZQ challenge and there were some really creative and inspiring quilts on display. I think the exhibition is about to finish so it can go to the Quilt & Craft Fair next week i Hamilton so watch out for it if you are going. I will be there on Thursday just visiting too.

Grabbed some crispy and tasty fish from across the road and headed back to class and I really look forward to seeing some of the finished quilts very soon.

Te Papa Museum

The Te Papa Museum in Wellington is an inspiring place. I usually avoid museums but this one really captured my interest for quite a few hours.
The image above is one of the sections of the map of NZ (I assume from satellite photos) which we spent ages walking over and following where we had been. The detail was amazing and the variety of landscapes incredible.

There was also a Colour exhibition based around fashion with a different display for each colour. I loved the fact that the swimming costumes were enormous - even too big for me!



One of their prized exhibitions is the Giant Squid caught a few years ago. Even bigger than Peter.

Art in Wellington

We are staying at the Museum Hotel in Wellington which has a really interesting collection of art everywhere. When we arrived the foyer/bar (above) was full of people listening to a duo singing Edit Piaf numbers accompanied by a kazoo and accordian. The Reception desk was doubling at as bar so checking in was an interesing experience.
Most of the art is not, unfortunately, labelled but no one seemed to mind me taking photos so here are some of the pieces that took my fancy.
These are by Gregor Kregar

I love the detail work on this portrait which you would swear is a photo from a distance.

Click on the image to see it in detail

This cardboard dress by Tania Marriot has been influenced by William Morris designs and is cutout from sheets of timber.

Landscape by Robin White


Some more interesting pieces - very interesting decorative style don't you think.






Let me know if you would like to see more.

Down south I bought this fabulous necklace by Brendon Jaine - a local artist who only uses recycled bottles. I really love it and it makes a great clinking noise when you wear it.