Fruitbowl - Fresh Ideas from Hawke's Bay

Prior to becoming a furniture designer, Roger Kelly initially studied sculpture and art making, and then taught at the Christchurch School of Architectural Studies. He has managed to successfully translate these experiences and skills gained from each industry into designing functional and intelligent pieces of furniture (as well as intricate miniature scale models of his chairs).

Roger was initially lured to Hawke’s Bay to meet David Trubridge and see the Cicada Studio’s design incubator on behalf of his students. It was at that point he made the decision to come to the incubator and try it out for himself. Cicada Studio’s design incubator has recently shut down, but many of the people who relocated to the Hawke’s Bay for the incubator have stayed. “There is now a small creative community here – some really interesting people,” says Roger.

Roger’s background in teaching means that he is an ideas man, saying, “If you give me one idea, I will give you a further 20 you should explore.” His current ideas are meaning that he is looking at furniture holistically, designing things that he hopes will stand the test of time as well as have a strong connection with the New Zealand vernacular.

This is a reprint from the Urbis Magazine Best of Design Issue that featured several Hawkes Bay artists. Thank you Venture Hawkes Bay and Urbis for kindly allowing us feature the articles on Fruitbowl.

For more on Roger Kelly, check out the speed chair.

“If it were a car, the Speed chair would cruise up to the beach, surfboards on the roof, and heads would turn to see who got out. Low slung, sleek lined, Speed chair is the essence of cool. We want one, right now…”

Alright!