Ōtautahi Studios

In Episode 17 I have a great kōrero with the super talented Leonardo James, the Ōtautahi Artist magazine Symbiosis creator. We delve into Leonardo’s early introduction to photography, how his connections in the Ōtautabi creative scene inspired him to share their stories and how he came about publishing Symbiosis as a one-man band for his end-of-year project at Ara, finishing his Bachelor of Design. When we catch up, Leonardo is embarking on a ‘Boost it’ campaign to get funding for publication number 2.

I had the absolute pleasure to catch up with Louise Ayling. An Artist who through an early connection and appreciation of shoes landed In the high-end industry of bespoke footwear in the capital of this artisan practice, London. With years of learning this craft she returned to New Zealand to raise a family and pursue her own practice. This is a rare insight to the beautiful work that is the bespoke shoe and an insight to a evolving practice where Louise’s skills and fine art background merge.

In episode 16 I have a long overdue kōrero with the Visual Artist and maker extraordinaire Steven Junil Park 6x4 An insightful conversation about the meaningful act of making, the teaching we receive from materials and how it connects us to our ancestry and paving the path of those to come. There is so much wisdom in Park’s philosophy behind artistry and making. A reassuring reminder that we were born to use our hands and that this is an integral part of humanity.

In episode 15 I have an inspired kōrero with the immensely talented multi-disciplinary artist Kara Burrowes. We speak of her degree in Landscape Architecture which then led her to a Master of Fine Arts and a dip into Graphic Design at Polytechnic. We speak of her love for different materials, and the seeking of belonging that imbues her work. Kara is at Hagley studying jewellery design, adding wearable art pieces to her broad practice. She is currently working towards two exhibitions.

In this episode I have a wonderful kōrero with friend, colleague and fellow artist Greg Yee. We get Greg’s backstory from early years growing up in a small settlement south of Oamaru, how a puppet he made at school created a creative spark and the artistic path that followed. He speaks about how grappling with identity is an important part of his practice, how he combats boredom through further education investigation of his work and we spill the beans of an upcoming show.

In this episode I have an inspiring korero with textile designer Kate Watts. Watts is Ōtautahi born and bred but now resides in Ōtepoti where she runs her creative practice out of 120 m2 former butcher shop. Here she sells her own and other artists work, hosts work shop and runs her textile art practice. From her core business of making merino gloves to embroidered coats for the opera to Japanese rice paste resist Watts incorporates it all into her creative world. An inspiring and uplifting korero with many great insights to a diverse art practice.

In episode I catch up with Carmen Collie, Belinda Currie and Pippa Mills. We get to hear their story of how friendship and parenting led them to their art practice. How this partnership encouraged them to create the exhibition, ’Wake’, how living in Te Waipapa, Diamond Harbour with the ever changing landscape inspires their work. Three women working in different disciplines, printmaking and Jewellery, The Margaret Stoddart cottage is the perfect setting for this trio to showcase their talents.

In episode 11 I have a wonderful kōrero with fellow jeweller and colleague Debbie Bishop. We delve into her journey where creativity came in later years. How she fell in love with the art of jewellery making through a night class and how life circumstances made her take the plunge going from a 9-5 to being a full time creative and educator. Debbie manages ’Work space’ where she teaches and creates her own line of exquisite work as well as being the after 3 jewellery teacher at Hagley College.

In episode ten I have a wonderful kōrero with three of my learners from Risingholme, Annelies Krijgsman- Walker, Abbey Parsons and Sarah Brown. I ask them how they come to enrol in a pottery class, how this muddy pursuit has changed them and what the rewards and challenges are. An inspiring conversation about the benefits of trying something new and how good creating is for us all, Enjoy! 

A bonus episode featuring my extended conversation with Florist Artist Katherine English. Katherine share some wonderful book tips and reads a couple of favourite quotes. We also learn about what to look for when foraging in winter. Enjoy !