Match highlights

Less than an hour into the opening celebrations Wellington’s new gallery Matchbox was packed with art enthusiasts, friends and family of those showing, and curious passers-by; just what we love about quirky Cuba Street precinct…

Saturday 19 May was opening night for Matchbox Studios, a new creative space on Wellington’s Cuba Street. The debut show ‘STRIKEONE’ offered an array of aesthetic delights, including artworks, photography, and hand-made clothing and jewellery.

STRIKEONE featured toast art (yes, you read that correctly) by Maurice Bennett (aka ‘The Toastman’), paintings by Felix Harris, Jade Townsend, Rachel Walker, Mel Mepham and Lucinda Gulliver.

Also on display were encaustics by Nicki Stewart, jewellery by Jean Burgers, video installation work by Jonathan Cameron and mixed media pieces by Eryn Gribble.

All this was complemented with the dulcet tones of local musician Lukas Jury (and a few beverages to go around).

Less than an hour into the opening celebrations the space was packed with art enthusiasts, friends and family of those showing, and curious passers-by. The atmosphere was lively and casual – exactly what we expect from, and love about, the quirky Cuba Street precinct.

Below: Artist Jade Townsend next to her artwork Bay of Islands.

Matchbox is made up of three spaces: a boutique shop featuring colourful designs, hand-crafted by over thirty different local, national and international makers; an art gallery, available for hire and curated collaboratively by the gallery and the artist; and a photography studio, also available for hire. This creates the perfect opportunity for emerging and established artists to reach a wide range of people in Wellington’s creative hub.

Below: Dallas McKinley, Vicky Holloway (designer of Squibblejewellery) and Nick.

Below: Ben, Chris and Thomas.

Below: Juliette, Niall and Lauren.

Below: Designer of Minnie + Ree Maree Smith and Kethryn McInteer

Collaborators Lauren Whalley and Cherry Holahan (above) are the creative force behind Matchbox Studios. Both originally from England, they are both passionate about art, fashion, and photography. Lauren comes from a background in photography and continues to produce her work within the Matchbox photography studio. She is also the chief curator at the Matchbox Gallery. Cherry has a background in the fashion industry and has her own fashion label ‘threeandfour’, as well as managing the Matchbox Boutique.

Below: Gemma, Jimi, Graem and Charlotte.