Favourite things: In the frame

Roberta Thornley puts her own spin on domesticity via her portrait photography. Photo / Babiche Martens

Described as having an eye for oddness, Roberta Thornley examines and showcases everyday domesticity through a camera lens, resulting in images that are haunting and shrouded in mystery. A blond-haired boy sits forlornly next to a dirty swimming pool, a veiny arm rests delicately on a table, a suited gentleman sits, face to the sky, on a wooden chair - many of her photos are like stills from a film, taken out of context and leaving you wanting to know more. Thornley, a graduate from Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts, will showcase a selection of new works at Auckland's Tim Melville Gallery as part of the Auckland Photography Festival. She talks us through her favourite things.


10 FAVOURITE THINGS

1 The Fight Between a Tiger and a Buffalo postcard by Henri Rousseau
I got this at an exhibition of his work in Vancouver. Rousseau's paintings are mystical and strange but sometimes also humorous. He never visited a jungle but imagined what it might be like by reading books and visiting public gardens. I love this postcard and it always sits above my desk. It's my first port of call when I need inspiration.

2 Elliot Collins painting
I bought my first "real" artwork this year - a painting by Elliot Collins. I've often seen Elliot's work at my dealer gallery, Tim Melville, but when I saw Here I give thanks to the ocean who can drown me whenever it wants I felt as if I'd been punched in the stomach. It hangs on my wall now as a simple but poignant reminder of how powerless we are. It makes me feel small. Elliot wears his heart on his sleeve and has this incredible gift for communicating the way he thinks. One day I'd love to collaborate with him on a show.

3 I will be the irresistible misfit photograph
A photograph given to me by my partner Simon Devitt (also a photographer).

The moment I saw it I was reminded of the time my art history teacher set up a little shrine of panels painted in the rich reds, blues and golds found in Renaissance painting. Candles were lit so we could get a feeling for how churches might have felt at the time and how mesmerising the paintings would have been. I understood then why people would set up private chapels in their homes with small painted images that held the same power. Simon's photograph, taken looking from a window on to a summery backyard beach scene up north, has a sacred and thoughtful feeling to it. It mesmerises me in the same way the little moment back at school did.

4 Barry Clarke ring from Fingers Jewellery
A little rough around the edges is how I like my jewellery. My mum gave it to me after my first solo exhibition, Pine. It's forever a reminder of this and I wear it everywhere, even when I'm gardening. It's hardy, tough and delicate.

5 Our garden
The view from where we eat is a constantly changing image. The other morning when I woke up the garden below was engulfed in mist. The banana trees that fill the garden looked eerie and alien. I do a lot of my photography here. It's lush and forever changing and I'm particularly fascinated by the bananas. I've used them in a number of images - rotten as well as ripe, and green.

6 The Bohemian Sofa by Busnelli
When I first saw this it I had to collect my jaw off the floor. It's the first time a piece of furniture has felt perfect for me. It's lush and heavy but has a floating appearance. Beautiful.

With an object I love I often think that if I could just put it in a photograph I could have it with me forever. Maybe one day I'll be able to drag this one out on to the the back lawn and photograph it. I'm imagining grass stains on the delicately soft white leather.

7 My grandmother's diary
I found this after my grandfather passed. The first few times I read this it made me weep but I can now read it and learn about their relationship.

8 Found objects
A collection of objects from different places I've visited. This is a growing collection of natural objects that intrigue me without my necessarily knowing what they are or how they came to exist ... things like branches of trees with armies of cicada shells clinging to them. I pick them up because they look unusual or foreign. They're not important in themselves, but where they come from and how they make me feel is important.

9 All American series by Bruce Weber
I could look at these time and time again and never get sick of the words, images and photographs. I'm particularly fond of the chapter "No Strangers to Paradise" in Volume VI: Larger then Life.

10 Sister's drawing
My sister Celeste did a drawing for me, which I keep above my mirror. It shows one person looking at another and says "For God's sake, stop staring". Celeste is witty and clever, and her drawings - whether with or without words - tickle at our little habits and ways of being.

*Future at the Tim Melville Gallery, 2 Kitchener St, City, until July 3.