Magic from the mundane

Leonie Sharp's Another Man's Treasure is showing at Gallery on Guyton until Wednesday. Photo/Stuart Munro

Another Man's Treasure is Leonie Sharp's quirky furnishings without being furnishings.

Old suitcase bottoms are the drawers in a chest and the Huey, Dewey and Louie bean bag for children was once a curtain.

This fun exhibition was the catalyst Mrs Sharp needed to rejuvenate after a big exhibition of her weavings in Wellington at the end of August.

With three months free, Another Man's Treasure was something completely different for her.

"It was time-rich and it was good to do something physical."

"I am a huge op-shopper," and casting her eye around the exhibition, Mrs Sharp said she wanted people to think about the things they threw away.

A found crocheted blanket was hand-washed many times to reveal its original colour and then it became a stool cover, with one of the original primary colours chosen for the covering of the stool base.

Silk scarves, blankets and candlewick bedspreads have taken on a new lease of life and become cushion covers.

Pallets were now stacked to become tables, and EPNS tea pots were tea light candle holders.

Footrot Flats' Dog was painted on to the vinyl back of an armchair, and the Footrot family was painted on plates for the complete package.

Mrs Sharp said people who came to browse saw something they have at home and say, "I can do that".

Wonder Woman is painted on a wooden ironing board, and two bar stools come complete with 8mm iron tails.

And for the family pet - there's a special suitcase framed chair.

Another Man's Treasure is showing in the Gallery on Guyton, 62 Guyton St, until December 11, 12-5pm, Saturday, 10-1pm.