For NZ Sake explores New Zealand culture and history through sculptural assemblage. Iconic objects form iconic images; Vintage Crown Lynn ceramics, a Jackie Howe singlet, vintage wallpaper all emerge and create unique artworks.
Cameo
Limited Edition of 50
Archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm paper stock
Custom made Cameo frame with Convex glass
574mm x 417mm
Only Available framed
Crowning glory
When Church began seeing Crown Lynn ceramics as geographical features of New Zealand, she knew she had gone too far in the creation of her first exhibition to turn back. Spying a Kingfisher perched on its porcelain base, instead she saw her Farewell Spit. A kitsch conch shell jug was instantly recognisable as the Taranaki cape. Crowning glory marks the fruition of three months trawling second hand shops in the North and South Islands for the iconic crockery which, ironically, was produced in the Auckland suburb of New Lynn. “The challenge with Crowning Glory was putting together a jigsaw that was never meant to be one,”
“You’ll find Crown Lynn ceramics in baches and old country halls all over New Zealand. I guess Crowning Glory takes it a step further.”
Limited Edition of 75
Archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm paper stock
840mm x 590mm
Tiki Lynn
The inspiration for Tiki Lynn came to Church when she was preparing the various pieces of Crown Lynn ceramics for the Crowning Glory piece. “Most of the pieces have no reference to New Zealand whatsoever – back then there wasn’t the attraction there is today to buy New Zealand made – Crown Lynn had a multitude of various stamps to imprint each range. One particular vase had a tiki stamped on the base “ It was unashamedly kiwi and the only piece I found with that mark.”
The bone-like qualities of the ceramic also tie in with the traditional Maori bone-carvings, with two Crown Lynn saucers – the only use of coloured crockery – providing an morepork-like gaze on the world. “It was when I saw the vase that is now the Tiki’s tongue that I knew it could be done,”
“Tiki Lynn reclaims Crown Lynn pottery as distinctly New Zealand, because for years it wasn’t marketed as a proud kiwi product.”
Limited Edition of 75
Archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm paper stock
725mm x 590mm
Sheep Tally
This piece of the collection screams hard graft. An old shearers kit: woolen Jackie Howe singlet, greasys (shearing chaps), an antique handpiece and it’s fellow – a handpiece screwdriver tool – languishing south of Foveau Straight, the overriding image is more than just metal and material: it’s blood, sweat and tears.
The age of the implements gives the piece a timeless feel, representative of the hard work of the founding farmers of this country, as well as a nostalgia for when farming was all manual labour and subsistence living and not the technological science and mechanised function it is today.
“Farming is the backbone of this country. Isn’t that what they say?”
“Tally recalls an age when the word ‘gang’ didn’t have the connotation it has today. Back then the best-known gangs were shearers.”
Limited Edition of 75
Archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm paper stock
840mm x 590mm
Oh Deer
The urban hunter’s enviro-friendly trophy, this stag’s head longs to be hung above a mantelpiece. It is a stark image: the white of the background and the bleached bone contrasts with the dark antlers and the ingrained grubbiness of age; a forgotten relic once more put on display. Oh Deer, uses the fact that it is a photograph as a source of humour and irony. Oh well…”
The 14 point stag (one of the points has long broken off – in case you were counting) was shot by a friend of Anna’s.
Limited Edition of 75
Archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm paper stock
790mm x 585mm
Forget Me Not
Almost every New Zealander would have experienced sitting down at the dinner table or at an after match function to have a cup of tea and a lammington sereved to them on a Crown Lynn plate and tea cup and saucer. Those were the good old days, Least we forget…
Limited Edition of 50
Archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm paper stock
400mm x 400mm
Swan Lake
inspiration for the concept came from visits to friends and families cribs and Bach’s on lakes both in the North & South Islands. Oars used to be crossed above the boat shed or the main entrances way and there would always certainly be a vase, some mugs or even a complete Crown Lynn dinner set stowed away in the cupboard ready for the catch of the day to be eaten off. The Swan of course is obviously complimentary to any lake visit
Limited Edition of 50
Archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm paper stock
1000mm x 370mm