Design: An eye for distinctive

Artist Judy Millar, whose work is currently on display at the Venice Biennale. Photo / Babiche Martens

Judy Millar is one of two artists representing New Zealand at the art world's most prestigious event, the Venice Biennale, this year, with her Giraffe-Bottle-Gun exhibition.

The Auckland-based and internationally recognised painter, whose work has been described as "audacious, explosive, super-smart, dreadful", has taken over Venice's only circular church, the La Maddalena, to display a range of her distinctive works until the end of November.

Millar, who also lectures in painting at Elam School of Fine Arts, says her intention with the exhibition is to "implode the cliche of action painting".

The Wallace Art Award winner talks us through her favourite things.

1. TechnoMarine Maori watch

The French-designed Swiss watch that took the koru as the basis for its decoration. Many of the TechnoMarine watches have set the pace for watch design in Europe during the past few years.

2. MayDay light by Konstantin Grcic

Designed in 1999, a playful but incredibly useful design that takes light to you rather than you having to move to the light.

3. Solarex Photovoltaic solar panels

Design that truly changes the way you live. I still marvel at light energy being transformed into every other sort of energy around my house.

4. Mexican crucifix

A small Mexican crucifix designed in the 1950s. I bought it from a street market in New York and have always loved its lightness and delicacy.

5. Donald Judd chairs

Almost the only furniture I own. I actually use them as chairs, not as things to look at as most owners do; they're more comfortable than you'd think.

6. ICM saucepan

ICM saucepan with pressure lid designed by Niki Sala in 1970 for Studio Progettazione. It's become a cult design for the kitchen as it paved the way for a new way to manufacture steel pots and has really stood the test of time. I've had mine for at least 20 years and use it nearly every day.

7. Vintage "Flamingo Park" cardigan

By Jenny Kee, knitted by Jan Ayres. Based on Matisse's Snail, it's a great piece from the fabulous Sydney-based design partnership that lasted from 1972 to 1994.

8. Alberto Garcia-Alvarez work from 1978

The first work I ever bought. I was a student at the time and buying this piece taught me that buying art is a very different experience from buying anything else.

9. Jean Paul Gaultier leather apron

I love it because it's so hard to place, it could be anything from Austrian kitsch to something from a blacksmith's kit - Gaultier at his most playful. Not the easiest piece to wear but it gets its outings.

10. Giraffe-Bottle-Gun

A small oil on canvas work hanging in Venice as part of my current Biennale show Giraffe-Bottle-Gun. I don't keep much of my own work but this piece is staying with me.