Collectively collectors

Aroha Lewin (L) and Zekiah Heath. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Aroha Lewin and Zekiah Heath are MoAD (or Ministry of Art & Design), a collective that takes discarded tableware and objects and upcycles them in bold, bright colours for a new lease of life. The creative pair met while studying design at Unitec, establishing the MoAD collective in 2008 (both continue their own projects, Lewin creates screen prints and Heath is a ceramic artist).

Recently they have been working with Unitec again, to present Art + Design Week, which begins this Saturday. The event will showcase the work of 30 local jewellery designers, ceramic artists, photographers, painters, furniture designers and more. Lewin and Heath are passionate about local design and creativity, something that's reflected in their favourite things.

10 FAVOURITE THINGS

1 Corrina Hoseason's vases and trophies

This soon-to-be Unitec design graduate is making the most beautiful ceramic pieces it's almost ridiculous. We love her antler vase that we picked up recently from a fundraising auction. You can see more of Hoseason's incredible work at the upcoming NZ Art + Design Week and even more at the Unitec Grad Show.

2 Good One Cafe

A place where we usually conduct our MoAD meetings because it is just so cool. Dom makes the best coffees that never disappoint and the service is always awesome. They also do free filter coffee tastings on Thursdays and are putting the cool back into filter.

3 Teacups

We are big tea drinkers. There's nothing worse than drinking tea out of an uninspiring vessel. Between the two of us we have a pretty substantial teacup collection, ranging from sweet and flowery to plastic fantastic. Particular faves are the Crown Lynn Sesame St mugs, which remind us of drinking Milo in the kitchen at Grans and the melamine original teacups from Aroha's marae in the Hokianga - memories in an object.

4 Barrel monkey earrings

Both being born in 1980 means we are both Metal Monkeys in the Chinese Zodiac. Yes, that's right, we're the kind of girls who believe in the stars and universe.

5 Old things

We are a couple of magpies and love to trawl through second-hand shops looking for the ultimate bric-a-brac items. We have a particular obsession with old metal objects. It's so sad to see something that once was grand sitting forlornly in the back of a Salvation Army shop. We buy these old souls, give them some elbow grease then powdercoat them. It's like giving water to droopy flowers, they come to life immediately.

6 Farmers Market at Britomart

Fresh vegetables straight from the farmers, love it. Great coffee at the cart and super-yum pastries right next door at Philippe's.

7 Exhibitions at Gow Langsford Gallery

A regular pastime is to go to exhibition openings and one of the best galleries in town is Gow Langsford. Here you get to rub shoulders with of some of New Zealand's most established artists. Always inspiring.

8 Reuben Patterson

The things this guy does with glitter are incredible. One day we'll have an original each, but until then we'll just love our reusable carry bag with his painting on the side of it.

9 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Such an inspiring and beautiful read and so relevant to what we are doing. Carving out a path and not worrying about the destination. We are simply just enjoying the ride.

10 Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

After all the chaos of New Zealand Art + Design Week, we will be celebrating a hard year's work listening to these guys at the Powerstation. Exciting!

* Art + Design Week, Saturday November 13 -Sunday November 21, 10-6pm, 116 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket.