Photo Credit: Maria Shans
A couple of weekends ago, during the Auckland Art Week, Trendstreet was invited by art-promoter-slash-cool-Ponsonby-chic, Cleo Barnett, to an unusual art exhibition which was held at Mollies Boutique Hotel, out of all places. Not your typical setting for getting an eyeful of tasty visual creativity and if you have never been there before, then you really need to check out this little gem by popping over for High Tea one sunny afternoon or for a slightly longer stay (hint, hint: romantic night for two). The atmosphere gave off a scent of aristocratic bohemia (in a good way) and the hotel interior acted as a fresh and cozy take on the often-way-too-minimalist concept of a modern art gallery.
The plethora of Kiwi pop artists whose work decorated the vertical and horizontal surfaces of this establishment were all very inspiring. But if we were pinned down to the ground and not allowed to get up until we chose a favourite, then Sam Mitchell would definitely take the cake. There is just something unusually mesmerising about a painting of a heavily-tattooed Smurf-blue face, whose features none-of-other-than-Jesus-himself shares with nude cartoon pin-ups, and from under the Clark Kent glasses of which stare two radiantly blue eyes, peering into the depths of your very soul. Who said that pop art can’t make one contemplate the meaning of life? Anyway, the rest of the carefully chosen paintings and sculptures that Mollies’ owners decorated the walls and tables with were just as original and inspiring and we thank the hosts for their great, if eclectic taste.
