CREATIVE IDENTITY

FEATURE

From award-winning sketches to interior design and even philanthropic events, the following stories pull back the curtain on just a small part of our varied and unique creative identity in Ōtautahi.

DELICATE DETAILS

WORDS Joshua Brosnahan PHOTOS Jess McGhie

Ōtautahi-based artist Ellie Compton has won Ballantynes’ biannual artist competition Bring It To The Boardroom.

Following a high number of exceptional submissions, digital presentations in front of the team of discerning buyers, and much deliberation, Ellie’s detailed piece on our city won over the judges. The grand prize means Ellie receives the opportunity to sell her art in-store at Ballantynes and on their website for a year.

With the Ballantynes executive team oncall to lend their expertise, and Ellie able to work with the team on a business approach and ‘pick their brains’ on her next steps, Ellie also receives all revenue from the product sales of her winning artwork.

The CEO of Ballantynes, Maria O’Halloran, credits Ellie’s creativity and eye for detail as part of the reason for her win. “Ellie’s art speaks to her Cantabrian heritage, with gorgeous linework and elements that will surprise and delight our customers. Ellie’s artwork weaves narrative and architecture together to create worlds through beautifully delicate details.”

Ellie is excited about the win.

“It’s a very humbling but incredibly exciting feeling…I am thrilled to be receiving some mentoring and business advice from the Ballantynes team. I think this will be the start of many exciting opportunities to come,” she says.

As a Christchurch-born business, Ballantynes is excited to work with Ellie on her journey and to see her brand develop and grow. “For us, this is about giving back to our community,” says Maria. “More than ever, it is so important to support local talent to ensure our communities stay vibrant and full of creativity. We’re so excited to begin this partnership with Ellie.”

As an architectural graduate, Ellie’s background shines through in the winning piece’s style – the detailed cross-sections that told a story about Christchurch.

Ellie admits the transition from graduate to artist contributed to a bit of an ‘identity crisis’ but winning a couple of awards along the way, and even having former Museum Hotel owner and art collector Chris Parkin purchasing her work, means she feels she is on the right track. Her win with Ballantynes ensures she’s able to elevate her position as a reputable local artist through a somewhat rare business opportunity.

Ellie also feels honoured that her subjects share their lives with her in the creation of her works. “Quite often, these people share quite personal, intimate journeys with me in order for their artwork to really tell a story.

“I worked on a large artwork as a retirement gift from one business partner to another. They were in the hospitality industry. The end result was a bar setting, with a top shelf of liquors, all named after former businesses the pair had owned. To have that client feed back to me that he had ‘never felt someone capture me, to an absolute tee before’ meant so much to me. I’m now part of a bigger story, and that means so much to me as an artist.”

Ballantynes’ Marketing Manager Shelley Gayford also mentions that after Ellie’s winning work was posted on their social media, the overwhelmingly positive response to the winning artwork was a welcome affirmation; this piece was the right choice to take out the top prize.

Keep an eye out for Ellie’s artwork gracing the walls of Ballantynes. Her art will be launched in conjunction with an exciting new art space in Ballantynes: The Gallery, an area designed to exhibit both leading and emerging New Zealand artists.

ballantynes.co.nz

INSPIRATION BY DESIGN

WORDS Shelley Sweeney PHOTOS Dave Richards

Double wooden herringbone doors lead into the luxurious Eterno Design showroom in Merivale Mall, where interior architect Emma Morris works at the art of transformation.

Emma’s 25-year career has taken her around the world, working for a broad range of clients and budgets. With Eterno Design, Emma brings her timeless international style, along with a wealth of experience and industry contacts, to create unique and beautiful spaces.

While Eterno Design has been in business for some years now, having a showroom gives clients a starting point, with beautifully staged areas for visual and tactile inspiration. The small team offers comprehensive design services, including designer kitchens and bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes, fireplace joinery, lighting design, entertainment units, and custom-made furniture pieces.

“We give our clients a high end, luxurious look for every budget. We’re all about creativity and pushing boundaries,” says Emma of her team, who work alongside the architects, designers, and trades involved in each project.

On entering the showroom, you are immediately struck by the sleek American Oak cabinetry of the kitchen. The blonde oak finish has been achieved with a bespoke stain. The seamless panelling in the cabinetry coupled with subtle and well-considered LED lighting is a signature style for Eterno Design.

The living area features a stunning sofa and artwork. “If a client likes a particular furniture designer, we can work with them to create a bespoke piece to perfectly complement the proportions of their space,” says Emma, who helps clients to source and commission art. Eterno Design also offers an interior furnishing package to style the complete interior of a home from curtains through to kitchen crockery.

A thoughtfully curated selection of bathroom tiling options can be found displayed in the showroom, from porcelain flooring to soft textured, large format stone. “I want to inspire our clients with a variety of textural, tonal materials to show them what’s possible,” she says.

The Eterno Design team has won many accolades, including the prestigious National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) and Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) NZ awards. For Emma, staying at the cutting edge of design trends is an integral part of her work. “There is a trend towards natural stone and tactile materials,” says Emma, who also notes the recent advancements in design technology have improved the durability of porcelain. This product is available in a broad selection of textures, making it an increasingly popular choice for its heat and stain-resistant qualities. The kitchen counter in the showroom is made from durable porcelain with a stylish matt finish.

When it comes to quality, Emma says, “We like to oversee everything we have manufactured. Nothing leaves the factory without sign off from the team”.

This attention to detail has earned Eterno Design a reputation for excellence. This thorough approach is carried through from start to finish, as each designer works as a project coordinator, holding regular meetings and site visits.

Every project starts with understanding how each client would like to inhabit their space to optimise the interior and exterior flow. The team works to create inviting spaces and bring continuity throughout every home with functional design and ‘wow’ factor.

By looking at the architect’s plans, they consider all aspects of the design, including spatial layouts of kitchen and bathrooms, furniture, and custom cabinetry for a considered individual space.

eternodesign.co.nz

KEEPING CONSCIOUS

WORDS Joshua Brosnahan PHOTOS Corentin Esquenet

Upstairs at St Asaph Street’s Boxed Quarter is the home to The Conscious Club – a collective of makers with a focus on sustainability, local economy, and supporting Christchurch’s creative scene with events such as markets and speaking engagements.

These ‘events with purpose’ are led by a team of young, diverse people. With a focus on large-scale social issues in a creative and fun manner, the markets and events these makers host are well known and far-reaching.

The driving forces behind The Conscious Club are Selina Faimalo and Kophie Su’aHulsbosch, along with many others.

Selina is in charge of the operations of the club and also works as a freelance project manager. Kophie is the creative director and sustainability advisor. She also moonlights as a freelance artist, graphic designer, mural artist, and illustrator. Chances are you’ve walked past one of her iconic pieces in the central city.

Pip Currie is the shop manager and creates under the moniker Littlest Pip Knits, providing the store with cute crochet and knitted items. Lucy Ferguson works as a full-time school teacher but helps out when she can, and a few new recruits are also on board to help. It’s a fast-growing movement.

All involved in The Conscious Club are volunteers, but they are passionate about making ‘cool stuff happen that makes a difference’ whilst sharing their important messages, anything from local to global issues.

According to Selina, The Conscious Club began when a few young makers met in classically millennial fashion through social media, namely Instagram.

“We all had a shared interest in small business and sustainability, and from there decided to host an event together; a sustainable and affordable market. That was over two years ago! Since then, The Conscious Club has evolved and expanded very quickly, and we have diversified our events, to include speakers, meet ups and more.”

The events that they have hosted share the values of diversity, transparency, kaitiakitanga, inclusivity, and creativity.

“We have vintage and second-hand clothing markets we host each season, where everything is $20 or under. We just want to keep it accessible, to try keep fashion circulating to prolong its life. We also have had large charitable exhibitions focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and even a chat series on the topics of sustainability, mental health, racism, and more,” Selina says.

The team acknowledged Covid as a challenge for their events, pushing back most, if not all, of their planned events.

Kophie says, with the team all being volunteers, “putting our time into events that could potentially be cancelled has a domino effect of not being able to earn money to earn a living. But we are an optimistic bunch and adapt to these trying times; luckily, we can still do our smaller events like workshops and movie nights”.

Selina, Kophie, and the entire Conscious Club invite Avenues readers to come along to one of their events to see what they are all about once they are up and running once again.

“Check out our shop at Boxed Quarter where we are based; come say hello! We also have a Patreon account where you can become a patron, as well as a ‘Ko-fi account’ where you can donate the price of a coffee or more. Volunteering at our events, or even just showing up, goes a long way!”

theconsciousclub.co.nz