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A chair that was on its last legs and cost $5 from a local op shop has become the inspiration for an upcoming challenge and exhibition at Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa.
Last year Estuary Arts volunteers ‘upcycled’ the chair, fixing it up and recovering it in offcuts and recycled fabric pieces in a creative way. They did this for fun, but centre manager Kim Boyd says they’ve had so many comments from visitors about the chair, which is now in her office, that she decided that an exhibition dedicated to upcycling would be held.
The Great Upcycling Challenge exhibition is an opportunity to transform anything that has been discarded and repurpose it into an artwork or a designer piece of furniture.
Kim says there is plenty of inspiration to be found in the New Zealand TV series Designer Junkies or the BBC TV hit Money for Nothing where Sarah Moore saves things from being dumped, transforms them into bespoke pieces and returns the profits to the people who threw the items away.
The exhibition will be held from November 15-December 1 with a ticketed auction and opening function on Friday November 15.
The Hibiscus Men’s Shed has been brought on board; its members can assist any participating artist with carpentry repairs or modifications to furniture that may be needed.
To kick the process off, Estuary Arts Centre has a small number of vintage stools that need transformation, and will be auctioned. Auction proceeds go towards equipment for the centre’s education wing.
Expressions of interest are sought from artists wishing to take part in the Great Upcycling Challenge by 5pm on October 5. There is a $10 non-refundable entry fee per item (maximum of three items per person). Artwork needs to be delivered on November 8-10.
Info or to claim a stool, call into the arts centre, email manager@estuaryarts.org or phone 426 5570.
