Rebecca Asquith

Clever?

Rebecca Asquith

NZ Designer - Wellington

"From run-down tin shed on the Taranaki coast to New York Gallery, a brilliant young designer shines..."

It took Rebecca Asquith a few months to get use to her new surroundings after moving from her little workshop on Surf Highway 45 in Taranaki in the middle of 2008 to central city Wellington.

However Wellington is not new to her. Prior to spending the last 3 years in Okato (Taranaki), Rebecca was working in Wellington for 6 years as a Model Maker in the film industry. "This is where I acquired most of my workshop skills, it also helps having a cabinet maker Dad who I ring up often for cabinetry advice, thanks Dad". Movie credits include: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, Narnia and King Kong.

So why the move away from Wellington? "After 6 years of 50+ hours a week I was very tired, and drained creatively.  I wanted to pursue my hobby of making things, but needed to find a far enough away place so as not to slip back into the film industry full time. It was on a surfing weekend to Taranaki, my partner and I just happened to stop in for a coffee at a little coastal village cafe. And there it was, across the road an old run down tin shed, for sale. Three days later it was ours"

The tin shed was transformed into a workshop, office and showroom where Rebecca and partner Tim Wigmore worked on their designs full time. This is were the Nautilus lamp among with many other objects were conceived. "I have quite a few products in the workshop that have not really got past the prototype stage, mainly because they didn't pass the final question I ask myself 'Is it worth making?' This is mainly in regards to whether it can be made responsibly and whether it will enrich peoples lives.  I knew straight away when I turned on the Nautilus lamp it was worth making".

It just so happens the Nautilus was well worth making, its been a total hit, being exhibited at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York last year, as well as being in numerous high end magazines and design sites worldwide.

Natural architecture, exciting materials and the potential for collapsible design are some of the things that inspire Rebecca's designs. Watch this space for the next piece that is worth making...
  Wellington


Collection

 > Artist's Full Collection 
  • Nautilus Light/Hanging Lamp Shade