Whanganui-based artist Fleur Wickes has always been a great believer in writing down what you want. So, when she found herself outgrowing a tiny 1950s caravan that she used as a painting studio in her backyard, she wrote a list about her dream workspace and left it on her bedside table.
“I wanted five things,” tells Fleur. “Gentle light, room to breathe and an entrance that was unremarkable, leading to an upstairs area with good bones.”
Months later, while searching Trade Me, her manifesting paid off. After finding a 100sqm space for rent on the second floor of the heritage-listed Trinity Buildings’ in Whanganui’s main street, Fleur could tick everything off the list.
Kooky and calm
Built in 1927 by the Trinity Methodist Church Trustees and designed by architect Robert Talboys, the building housed long-time clothing manufacturers Kooky Fashions before it sat empty for five years.
“As soon as I walked in I fell in love with the golden afternoon light streaming in the windows and the sense of calm,” recalls Fleur, describing the space as a “big, empty white box” when she took over the lease in July 2020.
“I could see I could make it look like an apartment to show my work in context, which is what I’ve wanted to do for a really long time. I make work for people’s homes, not galleries and to show it in the manner in which I wanted it to be seen was really important.”…
