Monica and I packed up the car and headed down to Wellington last weekend. Driving down from Auckland is a lovely way to see the country, and the rewards are worth it. Fidel’s, Sweet Mother’s Kitchen, Mighty Mighty, Duke Carvell’s, San Francisco Bath House, Satay Kingdom… It seemed like we were navigating the city according to our next calorie hit. Here’s a few photos:
The view from Mount Victoria! We had takeaway coffees and it was super windy.
An art laden alley in the CBD.
The wall of kisses. Every guest to this bedroom who has a pair of lips must contribute. My smooch is top centre-right.
Oh Wellington! It was so good to see you again, as well as partake in all your fine establishments have to offer! Ernesto, Fidels, Sweet Mother’s Kitchen, Plum, Deluxe, Matterhorn, San Francisco Bath House. Burritos, Pimms, tacos and the legendary Bling cocktail from the Matterhorn (an adolescent dream achieved). Your stores were welcoming too, like the adorable Swonderful, Rex Royale, Hunters & Collectors, Slowboat Records and Good As Gold. But of course it’s the people make the place. Sweet Wellingtonians, you are so rad! I hope you will invite me back soon.
The number one reason for our Wellington visit (I use the word ‘our’ but in reality I was gatecrashing my friends’ holiday) was to go see the Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years exhibition at the City Gallery.
To celebrate the exhibition, they kitted the entire gallery exterior out in polka dots!
Yayoi Kusama is an avant-garde Japanese sculptor, painter and novelist.; her work concerns many themes, but is usually expressed through the polka dot and infinity net motifs that are her trademarks. Kusama started painting dots at a young age, after suffering ‘hallucinations’.
In her twenties, Kusama moved to New York and nurtured her talents further, gaining recognition for her large scale works, working in the same sphere as Warhol and other notables. In 1973 she returned to Japan and produced several novels and anthologies while continuing to create art.
Today, Kusama’s trippy paintings, tentacle like sculptures, performance art and installations have attracted a cult following around the world, and she has found acclaim as one of the world’s most important living artists.
The Mirrored Years exhibition is on in Wellington till February 10, so if you’re anywhere in the region and you haven’t scoped it out yet, you simply must! It’s simply dotty, mind boggling and a lot of fun to be immersed in.
“Local lad Dan Nagels has just graced us with his new collection” says Wellington’s Madam Fancy Pants. Lucky them! It looks cute, featuring stirling silver party favourites like popcorn and chippies.
Mini Dress Code! I was in Wellington for work a little while ago; and couldn’t resist going to into the Swonderful boutique & buying an adorable Bon Voyage Papercup tee. Swonderful is marvelous; an adorable wee shop packed with goodies. Also, what a fun name to swirl ’round your tongue! Go visit – 95 Victoria Street.
+ Uniqlo grey merino cardigan.
+ Papercup tee.
+ Waxed cotton skirt with lace edging.
+ Montana boots by Progetto. They are very comfortable to trot around the world in.
I am taking off.
Here’s a better shot of the print, as seen on a tote:
Cuteeeeee!
Apt as I am flying to Bejing tonight, then catching a domestic flight to Shanghai, where I have been warned I will get hideously lost. Excellent, a challenge – I accept.
Hello! My name is Amber Parkin. I'm a New Zealander living in London. I'm a writer obsessed with fondue, chesterfield sofas, vintage dresses, foxes, and 35mm.
