Meet the People - 11

Photo by Dominion Post, Wellington; Supplied by Zest
Another in the Series Meet the People - Ordinary and Extraordinary New Zealanders doing Interesting Things - Susan McLeary and Catherine Cordwell are both dedicated food lovers passionate about the great food, wine and coffee experiences that Wellington has to offer, so it made sense for them to join forces and start Zest Food Tours. That was back in 2004 and leaving their respective marketing and public relations consultancy businesses behind, they have since introduced thousands of people to the capital’s hidden food treasures. They delight in showing visitors “the real Wellington that locals know” – hard-to-find places easily missed if you’re not familiar with the city. “We felt Wellington’s vibrancy as a culinary centre was under-rated and we wanted to change that.” They’ve been so successful they’ve since expanded their food tours to include the Wairarapa region. Their tours are a must for all food lovers. www.zestfoodtours.co.nz

"Eat, Explore, Indulge, Relish"

Photos Supplied by Zest

That’s the motto at Wellington’s Zest Food Tours and it’s easy to do when you end up at places like Mojo Coffee Cartel (top).This is where Zest gives you an introduction to the capital’s buzzing coffee culture. You get to roast the coffee with staff and taste the different local coffee styles. Mojo’s owner, Steve Gianoutsos is a second-generation café owner and his father, Lambros, is Mojo’s chief coffee roaster and blender. Another of Zest’s tricky-to-find food gems is Moore Wilson Fresh Market, which is a regular highlight on all their Wellington food tours. Here (bottom photo) visitors from England and America are tasting a range of regional cheeses, apple juices and seasonal fruits and vegetables. One of the best things about a Zest tour – their Walking Gourmet Tour at least – is that by walking the streets, you get an up close and personal feel for the city. It’s a feast for all the senses! http://www.zestfoodtours.co.nz/

Australian Notes

A page from my Adelaide sketchbook

2007

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 22

"Small Bore Shooting"

More from the Master Printmaker

Down Back Alleys

SOL, Christchurch. June 2008. Ajr

I caught this great little building reflection down a back alley off SOL Square a day or two ago.

When you look UP there is so much more to see.

In this case, a delightful intersection of architecture and building materials

Late 'Bloomer'

Christchurch. June 2008. Ajr

This is one tree that refuses to acknowledge the arrival of winter.

It's still busy dropping its autumn leaves.

Small Moments of Beauty

Unseasonal beauty

Peony Pink

On a Shelf

Posters & Art

"All What Trucks" (top) City Alley, Christchurch. June 2008.Ajr
Christchurch artist - and one of New Zealand's most highly regarded - Philip Trusttum is dominating the city. Not only is his show "All What Trucks" been showing at COCA Gallery, as a film clip at Rialto Riccarton and on giant city Billboards, some of the works are also keeping company with posters - all over the place. I like the way these sophisticated works merge so seamlessly with street art and advertising graphics. It goes a long way to making contemporary art more accessible to the man in the street. www.trusttum.co.nz

Cafe Graphics

June 2008. Ajr

An upstairs cafe window.

Christchurch.

I like the way the interior lights take on an apple-like form behind the sign.

The Spaces Between - 11

SOL Square, Lichfirled Street, Christchurch. June 2008. Ajr

Another in one of my favourite photographic series - the alluring narrow spaces between inner city buildings

Art on Wheels

Photographed supplied by Ben Pearce

And here's another

great little sculpture

by Napier's

Ben Pearce

It's a Sign

Near Levin, North Island. 2007. Ajr

This would have to be one of the most photographed compositions in the country.

I've seen numerous images of this very same truck&sign taken by other people.

Late Afternoon Shadow Play

Christchurch Art Gallery, June 2008.Ajr

Interior Architecture

with

Shadows

www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Spring Fever

Correct me if I'm wrong

but

Hasn't winter only just started?

And yet the roadside stalls are already

selling spring flowers!

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Chocolate?

Temptations at She Chocolaterie, Governor's Bay. Christchurch. Ajr
Have you ever considered the possibility of going out for the night and doing nothing but eat chocolate? I did – on Wednesday night; and I didn’t make the decision lightly!
Suffice to say I came home feeling three stone heavier, albeit with a smile on my face.
Declan Scott and Oonagh Browne over at She Chocolaterie in Governor’s Bay (over the Port Hills from Christchurch), have found every possible way to tempt you – and it’s no good pretending you don’t like chocolate. By the time you’ve been through one of their Chocolate Extravaganza tasting evenings, you’ll be convinced there’s no healthier vice to have. www.shecafe.co.nz

Art After Dark

"Blue" by Bill Culbert, Christchurch Convention Centre. June 2008. Ajr

I know I'm pushing my dear little camera to its absolute limits -and maybe I'm not doing Bill Culbert, the creator of this terrific neon sculpture, any favours either; but I loved this slightly wobbly, frenetic interplay of lights and reflections that I snapped last night outside the Christchurch Convention Centre. The work - "Blue" - was commissioned by the Christchurch City Council in conjunction with Art & Industry in 2000. Which reminds me - the 2008 SCAPE Christchurch Biennial is now winding up for an exciting city-wide art event from September 19 onwards. "Wandering Lines: Towards a New Culture of Space" will see the city streets come alive with some of the world's best public art. But more on that another time. www.scapebiennial.org.nz

Capital Arts

Images supplied by Flat Earth

I’ve said it once and I’m happy to say it again - Wellington is my favourite New Zealand city. For one thing the city has the most progressive public art policy in the country and because of its compact layout, the city is easy to discover on foot. Flat Earth has cottoned on to the capital’s potential as a vibrant arts and cultural centre and they offer the best range of small arts tours in the country. So don’t leave it all to the foreign tourists – join Mark Rogers and his team for the Capital Arts Tour (my personal favourite), which will introduce you to artists’ studios, leading contemporary art galleries, architectural icons like the Old St Paul’s Cathedral and to some of the many fabulous public sculptures including ‘Fruits of the Forest’ by Paul Dibble; ‘The Albatross’ by Tanya Ashken; “The Water Whirler” by Len Lye; “Ferns” by Neil Dawson; and ‘The Wellington Writers’ Walk,’ which celebrates the work of people like Katherine Mansfield, James K Baxter, Denis Glover, Maurice Gee and Bill Manhire. http://www.flatearth.co.nz/

Heading South

Dunedin Stairwell. 2007. Ajr

Almost everything about the southern city of Dunedin is interesting.

It's funky, intense, climatically challenging, artistically aware.

I LOVE it.

They even make their stairwells visually arresting.

Yet another example of how an everyday space can be enlivened by pattern and colour

Blue Lagoon

Sumner Beach, Christchurch. June 2008. Ajr

Walkers

Between winter tides

Dressed in Her Best

June 2008. Ajr

Also at Sumner - this demure mannequin dressed in her best 1950s winter outfit