The prominent New York-based Kiwi artist that graces the cover of our Autumn Issue, Natasha Wright, is known for her work that explores the dichotomies of womanhood to stunning effect — with a message and métier that has evolved in a captivating way.
Living and working in New York for nearly a decade, the New Zealander has developed a distinct creative language that marries various iterations of the female form with the rich qualities of oil paint, her pieces, despite engaging with their subject in different ways, always drawing the onlooker in for their urgent brushstrokes, evocative colours, layered techniques and compelling forms.
Natasha Wright
Comprising a number of expressive works, this exhibition — dubbed Les Biches, redresses the depiction of woman-as-subject throughout history, exploring concepts of gender and sexuality. Across a series of large-scale works, her figures emerge as powerful beings that subvert performed and projected ideas of womanhood, fusing figuration and abstraction in intricately layered compositions.
Utilising neo-expressionism, vivid colour and a bold use of line, Wright’s depiction of the female form is that of strength and virtue. Each artwork has been built-up in layers with broad swathes of thick oil paint delivering a captivating tactility, while bright pops sit in stunning contrast against the paintings’ dark backgrounds — the female figures inhabiting a medial space that links the past and present. There is a classical influence here, but ultimately, these works are tethered to the now, inspiring us to reflect on the power and vulnerability of women.
On at Sanderson Contemporary now until the 12th of May, Wright’s exhibition is certainly one you do not want to miss.
It’s no secret that the statistics around New Zealand’s poor mental health are staggering. Our nation’s rates of mental health challenges are shockingly disproportionate to the rest of the world, and often, it’s our most vulnerable communities that are the most impacted. But increasingly, we’re seeing heed paid to an issue that has long been shied away from — with a growing number of entities doing incredible work inspiring Kiwis to speak up and seek support. These are two charities making a difference.
VOICES OF HOPE
How to help:Donate, fundraise, tell your story, shop VOH merchandise, or simply share an encouraging message on the Voices of Hope website
Voices Of Hope is doing important work in changing the narrative around mental health, spreading hope through the voices of those with lived experience. Conceived by Jazz Thornton and Genevieve Mora, the local charity seeks to provide a safe place for people facing mental health challenges, so they can feel inspired, supported and empowered to share their struggles. VOH harnesses the power of connection via their storytelling platform to bring about a better understanding of mental health, promoting help-seeking behaviours, offering useful resources, and ultimately, spreading hope.
Learn more about Jazz Thornton’s inspiring story and her work in mental health here.
How to help: Donate, fundraise, become an ambassador, or shop IAH merchandise
With a strapline that reads ‘Normalising mental health. It’s just a conversation.’ I Am Hope, founded by comedian Mike King, has one goal: to incite positive societal attitudinal change. It’s well known that the youth population of New Zealand struggles with distressing self-talk and overthinking, and without the knowledge that these feelings are universal, they’re left feeling isolated and alone. I Am Hope does incredible work in showing kids that these thoughts aren’t unique to them, increasing the likelihood of them opening up and seeking help, and providing support when they do.
Learn more about Mike King’s inspiring story and his work in mental healthhere.
The contemporary console has become a hallmark of luxury within dining and living spaces. Previously a practical piece doubling as storage or simply a space on which to display special decor, consoles are now sitting as objects of art in their own right.
Here, we round up the consoles and sideboards sure to bring a touch of personality to your home’s in-between spaces.
It is the dawn of an exciting new era for local, luxury ready-to-wear label, Dadelszen. Having recently moved from its renowned showroom on Kenwyn Street, the much sought-after brand has taken up residence in an exclusive new space inside Faradays department store, a move that makes sense given that both Dadelszen and Faradays are owned and operated by the same dynamic duo — Edward and Constance von Dadelszen.
Lined in heavy, dark-blue velvet drapery and boasting stone and brass accents, Dadelszen’s exquisite, private Faradays space is the perfect setting in which to experience its offering. Here, discerning shoppers are invited to explore the lauded brand’s coveted collections in a space that speaks to Dadelszen’s refined, considered and utterly luxurious aesthetic.
There is also, we’ve been told, the promise of a purpose-built martini bar to sit alongside the collections, which would certainly provide the perfect finishing touch.
Come Tuesday, May 1st, the well-traversed streets of Ponsonby will once again be transformed into a food lover’s paradise as the much-anticipated Eat Drink Love Ponsonby restaurant festival returns for its fifth year.
Running from the 1st until the 28th of May, the month-long event promises to showcase the best of Ponsonby Road’s culinary melting pot of cuisines, spanning from Bangkok to Bali, Mexico to Malaysia, India to Italy — and beyond. This year, a record-breaking number of establishments are set to take part, with bars, cafes, restaurants and casual eateries all coming together to offer patrons an array of seriously tantalising culinary experiences — with options for every budget and palate.
INCA Ponsonby
From casual burger joints and pizzerias to fine dining establishments, Eat Drink Love Ponsonby offers food and beverage options that cater to everyone, with three price categories to choose from. Delve into the ‘$30 and Under’ category, featuring gourmet burgers, tasty tapas, epic brunches, express lunches, pasta, gelato, Banh Mi, cocktails and more. The ‘$30 to $50’ category spans a vast array of cuisines, too, from Italian to Nikkei, Thai, Japanese and European, with a slightly more elevated offering. But for those looking for something extra special, the ‘$50 and Over’ category is sure to impress, with lunch and dinner menus that showcase hero or signature dishes from some of the best establishments Ponsonby has to offer.
Parade
With 65 participating bars and eateries, festival-goers will be spoilt for choice. From Azabu, The Blue Breeze Inn, Daphne’s Taverna and Farina, Inca Ponsonby, Kol, Orphan’s Kitchen and newcomer Tobi, the line-up features a wide array of cuisine that promises to satisfy every craving. Inca’s Night of Comedy, for example, promises an unforgettable evening of delicious cuisine and uproarious comedy, as INCA chef Nic Watt and Japanese-Australian comedy sensation Takashi Wakasugi come together for an exclusive event, with a four course set menu and welcome cocktail, perfectly complemented by 45 minutes of side-splitting comedy from the talented Takashi Wakasugi. The comedy doesn’t stop here, either, with more than 10 NZ International Comedy Festival shows taking place at Ponsonby’s home of improv, the Covert Theatre, complete with pre-theatre dining offers from popular nearby venues.
Azabu Ponsonby
Elsewhere, Azbu Ponsonby is offering a set menu showcasing some of the Japanese mainstay’s favourites and a new style temaki sushi. Choose from a selection of tostadas, ceviche, temaki sushi, dumplings and larger plates, available at either lunch or dinner. And down the other end of the street, Prego, forever the family favourite, is offering free face painting for mini diners during weekend lunches.
The Blue Breeze Inn
The newest addition, and one we’re perhaps most excited to experience, is the brunch section which rounds out the 2024 festival offering, reinforcing Ponsonby as so much more than a lunch, dinner or drinks destination, shining a spotlight on its array of impressive breakfast and brunch venues, too.
Dizengoff
The festival culminates on Tuesday, May 28, with PonsonBurger — a one day only offering that will see the precinct pay homage to International Burger Day. More than 25 venues will proudly unveil their finest iterations of the classic, promising a tantalising array of flavours and culinary delights — keep an eye out for the full list of venues and menus, revealed on May 8th.
When speaking about the festival, Ponsonby Business Association General Manager Viv Rosenberg states her delight with the record number of participating venues for the 2024 festival, up more than 30% on 2023.
SPQR
“There’s a reason Ponsonby was named one of the coolest neighbourhoods globally in Time Out in 2023 – there really is something for everyone, from our impressive Ponsonby Central precinct to our popular International Food Court and everything in between for dinner, drinks, live music, comedy, cinema, from intimate dining to larger gatherings.”
She adds, “We are delighted with not only the record number of registrations this year but with the quality of the offers across every category, and the introduction of PonsonBurger, our grand finale.”
Tokyo Club
So mark your calendars — Eat Drink Love Ponsonby 2024 is an event that should not be missed. For more information on the festival and its participating establishments (along with their delicious menus), click here.
If there’s one thing we know about Aucklander’s appetites, it’s that when we find something indulgent, we can’t get enough. Enter Cheese on Toast, which opened its latest destination in Newmarket this week. This cult sandwich shop has been serving delicious toasties since taking the City by storm at market stalls years ago, making a case for sumptuous sandwiches that do wonders to quell any seasonal blues.
After the insane success of its Three Kings outpost, Cheese on Toast went on to open a Birkenhead flagship in 2022, before setting up shop on the Shore later that same year. Now, the decadent sandwich purveyors have laid down roots in the bustling suburb of Newmarket, now calling 89 Nuffield Street home. Here, they’ll be slinging the same epic toasties and coffees we all know and love, with a few new delights sure to satisfy.
This quaint, laid-back new spot is sure to be a welcome addition to the central suburb, offering shoppers, those who work in the area, and residents alike a comforting and fail-safe new lunchtime go-to, perfectly timed for the cooler months ahead. While, at this new address, the toast maestros will be serving their signature toasties (including owner Steve Kennedy’s favourite — the creamed corn with added bacon) alongside eightthirty coffee, you’ll also find a slightly more elevated offering in the specials menu, where you’ll find inventive takes like toasted sourdough topped with burnt onion cream, prosciutto and roasted tomato, on offer.
Open now, this new eatery boasts both indoor and outdoor settings, with a bench to dine solo, big tables to sit in with friends and colleagues, and street-side spots to add a side of people watching to your lunchtime order. When it comes to winter warmers, honestly, it just doesn’t get better than this.
Opening hours: Monday — Friday, 7am until 2.30pm. Weekends — 8am until 2.30pm.
When it comes to putting together an elegant ensemble, few shoe styles are as classic and chic as the slingback. Staking its claim as the ultimate shoe for autumn, the slingback is a refined wardrobe addition that can easily transition from day to night, with a full spectrum of styles — from everyday staples to statement-makers.
Here, we set out the slingbacks our editors are coveting this season. From elegant black in an array of fabrics, to bold colourways and stand-put prints, this careful curation will have you participating in the trend like a pro — and investing in a trend with true staying power.
Shop The Edit
Slingbacks
SAINT LAURENT Dune patent-leather slingback pumps from Net-A-Porter
Photography bySteven Chee Styling byClaire Sullivan-Kraus Creative Direction byAnna Saveleva Hair by Richard Kavanagh Makeup by Nicole Thompson
Despite being known for her captivating art that explores the dichotomies of womanhood, New York-based Kiwi artist Natasha Wright has proven that her exceptional eye extends to style, too. Here, taking sartorial notes from the striking cover story we shot with her for our most recent Autumn Issue, we have curated a ‘shop the look’ line-up of exceptional pieces to introduce a little necessary glamour to all of our wardrobes. Shop the look now.
Once again redefining the boundaries of clean beauty, Antipodes’ exceptional hydration range comprises five key products that your skin needs to remain radiant as we head into the colder months. Filled with hyaluronic acid, alongside a raft of specialised and entirely naturally-derived ingredients, Antipodes’ Hydration Range will feed your skin at a time it most needs to retain its moisture.
From Antipodes’ new Maya Hyaluronic 72-Hour Hydration Serum, which sets a global benchmark for natural-origin ingredients by pairing plant-based hyaluronic acid and clinically proven marine botanicals (its particular dose of hyaluronic acid is capable of holding 1,000 times its weight in water), to its Harmony Hyaluronic Manuka Honey Night Cream, a light but luxurious moisturiser that harnesses Manuka honey, Vinanza® Grape, kiwi and the same incredibly powerful, natural hyaluronic, every product in this range has not only been designed to revive and improve your skin, but in the absence of nasty chemicals or fillers, to also put your health first.
shop hydration range
Harmony Hyaluronic Manuka Honey Night Cream from Antipodes
Ananda Antioxidant-Rich Gentle Toner from Antipodes
As the weather cools down and a hint of cosiness settles in, we find ourselves seeking a touch of escapism. And for those who would rather curl up in front of the TV instead of with a new book in hand, we have delved into the captivating new TV series offering exactly that. From sweeping historical dramas to lavish ’60s comedies, propulsive mini-series and more, this is everything worth adding to your watch list right now.
3 Body Problem
From the creators of Game of Thrones, this new TV series (based on ‘Remembrances of Earth’s Past’ — a novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin) tells the story of a humanity confronting a terrifying cosmic threat initiated by a fateful experiment in 1960s China. Physics-defying mysteries, earth-shattering discoveries, and otherworldly connections collide to catastrophic effect in this complex, novel, and larger-than-life story.
Watch nowon Netflix
The Gentlemen
Theo James stars in The Gentlemen, a new series from Guy Ritchie that serves as a spin-off to his 2019 movie of the same name. Upon inheriting a large estate from his father, Eddie Halstead (played by James) discovers that the land is, in fact, part of Mickey Pearson’s cannabis-growing empire.
Watch now on Netflix
Palm Royale
This lavish 60s comedy charts the story of an ambitious underdog desperately scheming her way into Miami’s seemingly impenetrable high society beach club. With a star-studded cast including Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Carol Burnett, Alison Janney, Kaia Gerber and Ricky Martin, Palm Royale is as ridiculous as it is addictive — and promises sun-soaked, sartorial escapism at its finest.
Watch now on Apple TV+
Sugar
The detective noir genre is staging a comeback in this new TV series starring Colin Farrell. In Sugar, Farrell plays a private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel. As he explores her disappearance, he also unearths the Siegel’s deepest and most sinister family secrets, leading to a case far bigger than he could have imagined.
Coming soon toApple TV+
The Regime
This propulsive miniseries offers a compelling glimpse into a dystopian future where a totalitarian regime rules with an iron fist, dominating every facet of society. Amidst this oppressive backdrop, disparate individuals find themselves drawn into a perilous struggle for liberation. As alliances form and fractures deepen, The Regime delves into themes of power, resistance, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. With gripping storytelling and thought-provoking narrative, Kate Winslet stars in this in-depth exploration of societal control and individual defiance.
Watch now on Neon
The Sympathizer
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Sympathizer stars Robert Downey Jr. as a master of disguise — portraying all of the characters that make up the vague notion of ‘The Man’ in a tale of a Viet Cong spy infiltrating the South Vietnamese community in 1970s Los Angeles. Navigating themes of loyalty, betrayal, and cultural displacement with gripping intensity, this cross-culture satire explores a tapestry of complex characters and historical context, promising a riveting and thought-provoking exploration of self.
Coming soon to Neon
A Gentleman in Moscow
Real life lovers Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star in this sweeping adaptation of the historical fictional novel of the same name. McGregor masterfully portrays Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat exiled to house arrest in an attic hotel room post-Revolution, in this riches to rags epic that charts friendship, family and love.
Coming soonto Paramount+
Ripley
Notorious conman Tom Ripley is played by Andrew Scott in this fresh take on the story that acted as the premise for the 1999 movie The Talented Mr Ripley. Originally based on Patricia Highsmith’s novels, this mini-series sees Ripley living in New York in the 60s, charting his complex life on the wrong side of the law.
Coming soon to Netflix
Fallout
The murky, post-apocalyptic world of the Fallout video game franchise has been masterfully brought to life in this subversive and darkly funny screen adaptation by the creators of Westworld. Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell, and Kyle MacLachlan star in the live-action remake, where a diverse cast navigate Fallout’s retro-futuristic, nuclear war-torn world.
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