Tim & Terry

While in New Zealand in January Tim and I drove from Wellington to Auckland where we had the great pleasure of lazing in hot baths in Tokaanu, driving along the gorgeous Lake Taupo and experiencing the incredible thermal pools at Waiotapu, while taking in the almost gothic North Island landscape

At our destination of Auckland we stayed with sculptor Terry Stringer and his partner, also called Tim,  who live in their very own sculpture park called Zealandia which they open to the public. The house itself seems more like a piece of sculpture, and the sculptures throughout the property give the visitor the sense they have stepped into some other world

The grounds and main foyer are mostly populated by Terry's sculptures, although there are works by other New Zealand artists such as sculptor Chris Booth and Tim's brother, painter & sculptor, Richard McWhannell. In Tim & Terry's sitting room and bedroom, the feeling is quite different, with an eclectic collection of paintings and objects often with quite a theatrical bent

Some architectural details of the house, adorned by one of Terry's sculptures - a human hand holding a world globe

Terry in the reception area of the house with a newly finished work destined for the front steps of Robin Gibson Gallery in Sydney for his solo show there later this year

View of the house from the forest at the bottom of the property

One of Terry's works on the edge of the forest

The walk down into the forest part of the sculpture trail

The main lawn area of the sculpture park, enclosed by the house, the forest at the bottom,  and the front wall which separates the property from the street

Tim McWhannell playing Bach's Goldberg Variations on his outdoor organ while Tim Chappel takes it all in...

The driveway to the house inside the front gate

The front patio area just inside the front gate

The more cosy private sitting room

Good night ;)






http://www.zealandiasculpturegarden.co.nz/

Ingrid & Gary

I met Ingrid in 1993 at a linguistics residential school in Armidale New South Wales - it was love at first sight... 

A few weeks ago, almost 20 years after we met, I took the opportunity to visit her and her partner Gary in their current abode in Wellington New Zealand while the gallery was shut for its annual break

Being my second visit to Wellington I was happy to spend as much time as possible in their new home which architect Gary is designing and building himself, rather than try to see all the sites. The house is somewhat of a miracle - extraordinary in its ingenious plywood simplicity and honesty, way up high on a hilltop in windy Wellington, and overlooking the harbour and suburb of Petone. Discussing the house with Gary and Ingrid, I got the sense that the house was unfolding around them

I found this way of building and making a home extremely appealing...  And of course I couldn't resist the opportunity of taking some snaps for Art Squirrel

For the decade or so they lived in Sydney's Elizabeth Bay in their much cherished Seidler apartment, they acquired a few artworks...

A purpose built lounging platform, perfect for watching TV from or listening to music, is flanked by a painting by Sydney artist Stuart Watters

Ingrid's desk and day bed make a perfect home for a painting by the late Sydney artist Elwyn Lynn

In the hallway a glass & metal wall piece by Cypriot artist Helen Black called for a wall to be made especially for it 

Another painting by Elwyn Lynn in the cavernous yet light filled bedroom, obviously to Sputnik the devon rex's liking

Happy family featuring rocket-fuelled Baguette the dog - on one of the many outdoor areas with views of the harbour and local area

Gary at his desk

And of course I had to take Tim with me - he does make the most delicious margaritas

Another outdoor area, perfect for daydreaming while taking in the view of the town and harbour, as well as the perfectly distanced sound of trains and factories

The most comfortable seat in the house, on the patio