DUAL Gallery – Hidden Gem at the Top of Cuba St

31 January 2011

Exhibiting works of contemporary jewellery by Sophie Lewis-Smith and boutique fashion by Sarah Dalley aka Pulka.

Listen up! There’s a new gallery in town - spread the word and visit the most recent addition to the top of Cuba St. Access to DUAL Gallery is through an old car yard now housing Kreuzburg Summer Café and Grow From Here garden store. Almost as if you are going through a magic garden, you will find DUAL tucked away at the back. It is a gallery that dreams of becoming that special little place, off the beaten track that customers come to not because they are just passing but rather because it is a special destination. DUAL offers funky whimsical jewellery that captivates ones imagination, and tailored menswear and delicate one-off womanswear; quality and uniqueness that is hard to find in many street-side outlets. DUAL’s hours are 10am to 6pm Monday-Friday and Saturday 11am-4pm.

Sophie’s work often reflects childhood imaginings and fantasy - creating escapist worlds and ideas that are both comforting and romantic. Here, fantasy meets both traditional and contemporary jewellery techniques with the utmost intricacy. Her biggest drawing card is her skillfully crafted lockets perfect for 21st, weddings, anniversary gifts and more.

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Sophie is always willing to work with customers to create that one-off intimate piece that reflects and represents your own heartfelt stories and embedded memories. Whether it’s in commemoration of a personal achievement or to mark the anniversary of an important date or to celebrate the beauty of a loved one, Sophie will work back and forth with you until the perfect design is formed. It is then carefully crafted with the empathy, love and emotional involvement necessary to create such emotive pieces.

The works pay homage to Sophie’s sculptural background with their three-dimensional designs and overly layered appearance: making use of mirrors and magnifying lenses to effectively distort and reflect reality. Her conceptual vision is strongly tied up in the symbolism and materials of her work.

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Initially trained in the Jewellery and Silversmithing department of Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland, Sophie concluded her degree with a BA (HONS) in Sculpture in 2005. Since graduating she has returned to jewellery and has participated in showcases and exhibitions in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Her work is represented across New Zealand and has sold internationally.

At DUAL Gallery you will also find beautifully handcrafted silk knickers, skillfully designed feminine garments amongst tailored men’s shirts, with that little bit of something special.

Sarah is inspired by many things; fantasy and escapism, nature and romance, fabrics and frills. These are found in many places, a friend’s closet, photo albums, sitting on a hill looking out onto the city or rifling through an op shop's treasure. Using one of the found gems she then creates a story and world around this object bringing it to life through garments, colour and details. Sarah's work has a few stylistic signatures - nothing made with a zip, able to be worn in more ways than one and to look cute, chic, yet casual and comfortable.

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Sarah graduated with a Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology from Massey University in 2008 and has sold through a number of Wellington shops and boutiques.

Be sure to drop by the gallery to browse the fine items on display or to have a chat with Sophie or Sarah over a coffee if you’d like them to tailor your dreams into reality.

Spokesperson: Sophie Lewis-Smith
Website: www.sophielewissmith.co.nz

ENDS

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