<p>Fashion designer Karen Walker in <em>Romancing the Collection</em>, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.</p>

Fashion designer Karen Walker in Romancing the Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Karen Walker are launching an exclusive collection of lustrous silk scarves for summer featuring artworks from the Gallery’s own collection.

Each scarf comprises one of three artworks rendered onto silk: Laura Knight’s 1918 painting, The Bathing Pool; Walter Bayes’ oil painting, Lady with Sunshade and New Zealand-born Maud Sherwood’s 1922 watercolour, Girl in the Boat. All three artworks feature in Romancing the Collection, a recently opened exhibition that offers audiences an opportunity to fall in love all over again with the city’s public art collection.

Romancing the Collection presents much-loved artworks alongside lesser known and exhibited rare gems. We’re delighted to work with Karen Walker to give art-lovers the chance to wear pieces inspired by favourite works from Romancing the Collection when they are out about reconnecting with friends and family over summer,’ says Auckland Art Gallery Director Kirsten Lacy.

Designed in a square silhouette and cut in luxurious 100% silk twill, the shape and fabric allow for relaxed styling. Bordered with soft seasonal shades, the trio is part of Karen Walker’s summer edit, aptly named Escapism.

‘Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is one of the best places I know to escape the everyday. It’s a portal that never fails to take you into disparate eras, seasons, places and moods,’ says Karen Walker.

‘For this summer’s trio of silk scarves, Auckland Art Gallery is helping us escape to a dreamy day at the beach, capturing the delicious drowsiness of a sunny day of sandy toes, water lapping gently against a dinghy that’s busy going nowhere in particular and the hypnotic fun of examining rockpools. The Gallery had the perfect trio of paintings that allowed us to escape into a utopian summer’s day with a timeslip into nostalgic otherness.’

Lacy adds, ‘Escapsim – I couldn’t think of a better way to describe the Gallery right now. Art provides solace, ignites the imagination and acts as a breath of fresh air – all things that we need after the many challenges faced this year.’ 

Limited-edition and made from 100% silk twill, the collection is available from 23 November 2021 in the Gallery shop, in-store at Karen Walker or online at shop.aucklandartgallery.com and karenwalker.com.

About Karen Walker

Auckland-born designer Karen Walker has established a cult international following. Karen’s signature energy and optimism define her label. Her designs cleverly play with cultural subtext, juxtaposing luxe and street, masculine and feminine, folk and utility, creating pieces that are both directional and wearable. Karen’s influence has seen her consistently ranked in The Business of Fashion’s powerhouse BoF 500, reflecting her position as a global industry figure shaping the future.

karenwalker.com

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki shop

When:
10am–5pm daily, 10am–9pm Fridays
or online at any time

Where:
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki,
Cnr Kitchener and Wellesley Streets,
Auckland, New Zealand

shop.aucklandartgallery.com

For more information, high-res images and interview requests contact:

Priscilla Southcombe
Communications Officer
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
+64 21 548 480
priscilla.southcombe@aucklandartgallery.com
aucklandartgallery.com

Media release
789.72 KB PDF file