Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie & Amy Metal Metcalfe

Hi Katie & Amy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

We started with an experiment nearly 4 years ago, and with no plan of working together full-time, let alone a business with a life all of its own! The experiment was simple. We combined our skillsets and created 130 or so garden blooms on stakes for a local sculpture exhibition. We sold out! We were stunned to be honest, and thought we would try it again a month or so later, and the same thing happened. Within a matter of a few months we were working full-time fulfilling orders for galleries and with a list of commissions. It was totally unexpected. Fast forward to today and really that practice of playful experimentation and trusting our gut feeling has seen us grow, move premises and be selected to exhibit in some significant events. There are many days where we pinch ourselves – we are able to fill our days making and working together in a pretty amazing part of the world- New Zealand. We consider ourselves very fortunate.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Perhaps we would call them challenges….as they are there to be navigated. Each day we are experimenting and with that you come across issues or niggles that need working through. That could be refining a process, trying a new technique, it could be juggling all the different roles we need to fulfil in managing and leading our business.
Where we are strong is that there are two of us, so we can take it in turns to have ‘off-days’! In fact, we made a magic-wand a few years ago to ‘magic’ us back into a good mood should things get frustrating or overwhelming as they sometimes do.
We love what we do, we feel very privileged to be making artworks together, but it’s not always sunshine and smiles, there are some gruelling days, long hours, brain-challenges in areas that are not our first love, but all are required in order to make things work and keeping things positive.
We have in the last year moved premises, and moving a business, whilst remaining in business and fulfilling customer orders and expectations is one almighty challenge! Not one we want to repeat in a hurry!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

Well, we are two sisters, originally born in England and have made New Zealand our home. We have both come from design backgrounds: Amy from furniture and product design and Katie from fashion and automotive design. We mash up our skillsets from these experiences and throw in some 44 gallon drums and see what comes out in the mix!
We try and use the original colours of the drums for the most part, so our colour palette is huge and stacked outside on pallets! Bright, bold and playful artworks are our signature, we play with scale and humour. We’re also huge believers in making art accessible both in how we talk about it, how we exhibit and a we produce a collection of smaller artworks that people can start collecting and creating their own installations.. It’s a real pleasure and sense of accomplishment when we hear people talk about the joy and fun our artworks evoke, because that is exactly what we hope they will convey.

What are your plans for the future?

We’re excited as we have recently opened a gallery adjacent to our metal workshop and studio space. This will enable us to showcase our artworks, play with display ideas to support our retailers and host events and workshops. We’re really looking forward to the gallery becoming a destination within the local community and also with grander plans of it being the go-to gallery for art made from pre-existing objects and materials.

We are also keen to add value and opportunity to the next generation of artists by hosting workshops, tours and other events to enable school-leavers to take their first steps into the creative sector as professionals. It’s super exciting seeking opportunities within our space that connect with people and bring them along for the colourful Metal Metcalfe ride!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://metalmetcalfe.com
• Instagram: @metalmetcalfe
• Facebook: @metalmetcalfe

Image Credits
Charlotte Anderson & Metal Metcalfe