Artists
Meet Keri-Mei Zagrobelna
Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Te Āti Awa
Keri-Mei graduated from Whitireia Polytech in Porirua in 2012 with a degree in Applied Art and Design (Jewellery). Since her studies she has exhibited extensively in Aotearoa, Australia, Europe and America.
Keri-Mei comes from a family with a background of involvement in museums and Māori art. Her grandmother and mother both named Moanaroa Zagrobelna were former Te Papa staff who were amongst the early generation of Māori working in the museum profession in New Zealand.
Her chosen medium is adornment and jewellery based, and as well as her art practice she holds a history in public talks, lectures and teaching. Keri-Mei co-presented at the International JEMposium and represented New Zealand at the World Art Games in Slovakia 2015. She was also part of the New Zealand delegation that attended the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts, Guam in May 2016 and will be part of the delegation for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts in Hawaii, 2024.
Keri-Mei was a part of the Handshake mentor program from 2016 - 2018 and her biggest aspiration in life is to be able to set up a scholarship program for young Indigenous Māori jewellers in the hopes to offer encouragement and development within this field.
Keri-Mei currently works from her home-based studio overlooking Aro Valley in Wellington. She also tutors art and jewellery at The Learning Connexion and Workspace Studios.
“My work aesthetic represents the connectedness to my immediate environment and upbringing. It speaks of cultural communication and interpersonal relationships through the language of jewellery. Jewellery making is a medium by which I can communicate my heritage to both local and global audiences. I seek to nurture and encourage others through my work, by way of my actions and choices as an artist. I enjoy not only creating pieces that can be worn on-a-daily-basis, but also treasure to be passed down through families. Currently I have been engaging in the exploration of other creative forms such as public art, sculpture, installation, and photography.”
Click here to see Keri-Mei's work
Meet Louise Douglas
For over 20 years Louise has been designing and making jewellery. Starting her first company at age 18, Louise sold work to design stores in her home country of New Zealand. She then went on to design collections in the United States for private label and runway at large fashion jewellery houses in New York City. Her work has been sold to high-end department stores and exclusive boutiques throughout Japan, the US and NZ. Louise relishes in the process of bringing small objects into the world and sending them out to evoke curiosity and beauty.
Each of Louise's intricate designs are originally carved from wax. These delicate models are then cast into silver and bronze and each is finished by hand. The sterling silver is oxidized for an antique finish, while the bronze is dipped in 22k satin gold. Chains, clasps, and ear-wires are sterling silver or 14k rolled gold. Many items are also embellished with an array of high-quality freshwater pearls or semiprecious stones. Louise Douglas Jewellery takes pride in the high quality and hand finishing of all their pieces.
Click here to see Louise's work