Ani O'Neill | Love in Bloom

 

We are delighted to welcome Ani O’Neill back to Stoddart Cottage Gallery for November. Ani will transform the gallery into an industrious, social studio space, continuing work begun during her March 2026 residency. As Love in Bloom evolves, visitors are invited to meet Ani, witness her creative process and experience new work as it develops, with works exhibited in the gallery each weekend.

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The opportunity to extend her residency into a period of making within Stoddart Cottage itself, gives Ani time to respond directly to the light, mood and surroundings of this historic home. Visitors and volunteers are warmly invited to engage with Ani and contribute organically to Love in Bloom as the project unfolds.

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Ani is an Auckland-based artist of Cook Islands Māori and Irish descent, with an established career both nationally and internationally. Her nuanced and playful work makes an important contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s art landscape and has helped build international recognition of contemporary Pacific art and artists. Trained in sculpture, Ani draws on traditional craft techniques and knowledge held within her Rarotongan and Irish whakapapa. Working across media and scale, she creates objects and installation artworks that invite curiosity and play, encouraging wide audience engagement.

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Ani will host a two free public crafting workshops on the opening and closing weekends. In addition to this. Join is for Ani’s Make a Flower Button for Election Day! Saturday 7 November  11am - 2pm and Saturday the 27th of November 11am-2pm.

 

Event Details: Drop in on the opening day and crochet yarn or hand-stitch fabric to make a wearable flower ‘badge’. You’ll also sew a button onto your own clothes to wear it out to celebrate election day, or leave it on a special button display for the duration of the exhibition.

 

Bring your skills and patience - basic stitches - easy for everyone! Children under 12 must bring a hands-on participating adult. We have some tools and materials, but feel free to bring your own yarn and hooks or sewing needles and pieces of special fabric.

 

Please join us later that day to welcome Ani at 4pm, Saturday November the 7th.