Te Taiwhanga
The Art Gallery
Want to buy an art piece?
Get in touch with the artist.
Find the artist’s contact information below each artist’s bio.
Toi Pakitara
Wall Art
May’s Featured Artist:
TracyLee Mulqueen
Dear Reader,
I am from the southwest of Christchurch, raised in Rowley and currently reside where I was born in the Central City. As a kid, I often enjoyed taking snap shots of friends or pets and loved buying the old throw away 35mm cameras. I would take loads of snaps and build up photo albums of memories to share. And I am often doing something creative, whether it’s painting, writing, healing or studying, but in 2020 – while living in Wellington, I was gifted my first Nikon, a D5500. I certainly enjoyed taking photos again but at that point photography became something else for me. It was no longer a snap shooting toy of the past but rather, an essential tool for capturing beauty within the subjects I felt drawn to. Then in 2022, when I returned back home to Christchurch, I started a different kind journey and re-discovered my Nikon as more of a healing tool. I would be the first to notice how ‘healing’ creativity was for others, at aiding and assisting them towards wellness, but hadn’t quite grasped that happenstance for myself, not until someone prodded my awareness of it. It was such a delightful blind-spot to discover.
So, while completing my Healing Touch training, at the end of 2023, I got to observe just how healing photography was for me because I had a new found awareness of ‘light’ within the beauty of the subjects I was drawn to. And then again last year, while working my way through a Rongoā journey, I felt the healing presence of te taiao, while out enjoying all that it has available for us – through my lens. I find beauty where one might see weeds; I see petals like birds enjoying a nature conversation, I discover heart shapes at a rose’s centre, and simply adore the potent beauty, a paitini (poisonous) flower, so effortlessly gleams. There is a softness, a playfulness, and a rawness of beauty that natural colours bring so I love just being out there, discovering whatever it is – I’ll feel drawn to.
I have had no formal photography training, so still sit within the realm of creating with a lightness of not having to create. There are no rules for me when I capture subjects from a free flowing state. That brings a kind of freedom which vital and thankfully, deeply embedded in my Rongoā Kete. But my debut wouldn’t be complete without honouring those who encouraged or gifted me, tools to share little flecks of my heart with you, so heartfelt gratitude goes to two Ian’s, one Suzanne, all of my whānau and The Hub gallery for having me. This is some of my journey from Mai Te Ao Pouri, to Ki Te Ao Marama.
Kia ngahau! Please feel free to contact me for purchasing any piece, including the gift cards.
Nature’s Wallpaper – $42
Beautiful Begonia – $60
Rangiora – $55
Kaupapa Whakaatu Kaehi
Glass display Cabinet
May’s Glass Display Artist:
Jo’Seizova Art
Two passions one heart
For Christchurch-based artist Jo Seizova, creativity is rooted in heritage and rediscovery. Born in North Macedonia and trained first in oil painting, Jo later embraced traditional Macedonian filigree—an intricate art form that uses fine silver or gold threads to create delicate, lace‑like designs. Her process is slow and deliberate, entirely handmade with simple tools like a toothpick and glue. “It takes a lot of concentration, but it’s very rewarding. I love seeing what comes through in the finished piece.”
Her other great love is driftwood. It entered her life by chance, when a game of fetch with her dog returned an unusual piece of wood—and her creative juices began to flow. She started experimenting with the natural forms and textures shaped over time. “When I work with driftwood, I don’t change the beauty that’s inside—I work with it. The driftwood is my guide.”
Instagram | Instagram | Email: [email protected] | Phone: +64 22 639 7118
Little Hummingbird – Sold
Mother Mary and Baby Jesus – Sold
Duo
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