Established in 1994 in Auckland, Seagar Design has its origins in Adrienne Seagar’s commitment to a professional advisory service for residential interiors. In 2022 it is based in Auckland and Christchurch, its focus on quality design and a commitment to local and international design and arts practice. Its design store and gallery, ‘In Black’, opened in Auckland in November 2019 and in Christchurch at 181 High Street in 2022, its curation of art, design and objects prioritising form, materiality, textures and the colour black.

In Christchurch it is managed by Natalie Seagar who describes the store as a unique perspective on interior design and art. ‘The idea for Seagar Design stemmed from an interior focus on art and objects.  Most of what we curate has an artesian quality to it made by one person. In March when we moved to Christchurch we spent time looking for the right space. We wanted something that was architecturally interesting, with a high stud for exhibitions, and 181 High Street is an historical building that made it a draw card for Seagar Design.’ Moreover, Seagar is conscious of the significant history of contemporary galleries in High Street; the Jonathan Jensen Gallery, The High Street Project, and The Physic Room.   

Why the commitment to the colour black? ‘Seagar maintains that it is enduring and has a place in any scheme. It comes back to ideas about form, materiality and textile. “Less is more” is a tonguein-cheek statement that has been in the family for a long time and it remains a chore principle that we try to think about when designing a space.’

 Seagar Design’s artists will be new to many in Christchurch, a number of them post-graduates from Massey University and Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts. They include Michaela van der LAAN, Rachel Wegrzyn and Holly Schröder. ‘Seagar Design is the only gallery representing these artists, Michaela is a sculptor and installation artist, her practice is in ceramic and charred wood sculptures. The clay works are heavily textured with glazes that stem from processes of burning, replicating a rock or a piece of steel and looking at it as a texture of surfaces.’ All belong to a wider context at Seagar Design, collectively representing a national and international exhibition programme.

DETAILS

Seagar Design

10/181 High Street Christchurch, 1081 Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5.00pm and Saturday to 4.—pm

Workshops in November

Collaborative workshop event held in store with Alex from The Flower Press.  Wednesday 16th November 6-8pm.  

Tickets available online or in store.  https://seagardesign.com/store/shop/floral-workshop

IMAGES

1. Seagar Design, interior view, with Rachel Wegrzyn, Kerryn Levy, Michaela van der LAAN and Roger Coll.
2. Michaela van der LAAN, Circle Vases 2, ceramics