From Ireland with love: Creative space opens in central Whanganui

David Kerridge is keen to make Mothwerk a space for a range of local creatives. Photo / Bevan Conley

A shop, art gallery and creative studio in one have moved into Whanganui's central business district.

Mothwerk was started by graphic designer and photographer David Kerridge, who said the idea behind the shop side of the business was to import everyday designer goods that were affordable, but also "unique and sustainable".

"A lot of them are one-off kind of pieces, from designers both here in New Zealand and around the world," Kerridge said.

"There's a 'beautiful but functional' ethos going on."

The shop boasts a wide range of items, from handmade ceramics and organic Japanese cotton to water-purifying binchotan charcoal sticks.

"We actually opened just before this year's lockdown, so that was a great start," Kerridge said.

"There's a good online presence, though. I've got a background as a creative director and that's been a benefit when building websites and things like that."

Kerridge, originally from Auckland, recently moved to Whanganui from Ireland where he spent the past 15 years.

However, Whanganui had always been a part of his life.

"I used to come and visit my grandparents here when I was a kid, between the ages of 5 and 12.

"They actually met at a dance just up the road. I've still got lots of relatives around, and my mum and my brother have moved down here as well.

"It's the perfect spot - in between a city and a town. There are so many beautiful buildings and there's so much potential."

Being able to set up a shop like Mothwerk in a bigger city wouldn't have been possible, Kerridge said.

"You'd never be able to do something like this in Auckland, no way.

"There's a tighter community here as well, who are really supportive."

Kerridge said he wanted Mothwerk to be a platform and sounding board for creatives, with regular exhibitions in the shop and eventually along the corridors on level 2 of The Treasury, Victoria Ave, where the business is based.

Works by local artist Lynn Hurst are now on the walls.

"Everything in here will be on wheels. We can move things around and change the whole space," Kerridge said.

"Creative people in the community will be able to come and hold talks about what they're doing, whether that be art or something else.

"The plan in the next few months is to have a little pop-up cafe too, one that's open after hours. It can be hard to get a good coffee a bit later on a Sunday."

Kerridge said he was also planning an online magazine highlighting artists and "all things creative" in Whanganui, as well as a podcast.

"We are looking at producing our own ranges of coffee, tea and essential oils, and design objects with local artists in the near future."