An artist with number-eight-wire ingenuity, Glenn Jones has been making Kiwiana art for a decade.
Glenn defines Kiwiana as all the stuff we take ownership of that is ingrained in New Zealand culture: nature, food, objects, sayings, and more. These are everyday things, yet they hold profound, nostalgic and sentimental meanings.
He says Kiwiana is powerful because it reminds us of our childhoods. “I lived next to a dairy and would take our glass bottle empties in to trade for cents that I would use for lolly mixtures, then head to the park with my friends; great memories,” he reminisces. Glenn’s art conjures such strong emotions, a testament to his creative prowess.
Until recently, Kiwiana was rarely used to describe art and often carried a disparaging tone, but New Zealanders have come to widely embrace the term. Glenn notes how Kiwiana is forever growing and evolving, including iconic moments and things that have recently become part of our culture through social media.
Art That Brings Back Memories
The most memorable review that Glenn received was from an older woman who purchased a chocolate fish print. “She told us it reminded her of her Dad, who used to work on the wharves,” he says.
“Every payday, he’d bring home a chocolate fish wrapped in newspaper for her and would say that he caught it off the wharf. It’s such a nice ‘Dad' story, and it’s always stuck with me. It paints a really strong picture in my head, and I love that my art can stir emotions and memories like that.”
Glenn’s creativity is fuelled by coffee, running, passion, and love for art. “I’ve always really enjoyed bringing ideas to life.”
Art is just one way to incorporate Kiwiana elements into your home. Glenn suggests bringing New Zealand nostalgia in through old toys, packaging, photos, textiles, and the colour combinations that accompany them. DIY projects can prove effective too, after all, Kiwiana also reminds Glenn of how New Zealanders “think outside the square”.
Kiwiana reflects our shared history and culture, where humble objects like jandals and Buzzy Bees are national treasures. A framed print of Wattie’s tomato sauce or Edmonds baking powder in a London flat is a comforting reminder of home-cooked meals and scorching arvos at the bach.
Glenn’s work exemplifies Kiwiana's connection, humour, and creative charm. His art doesn’t just celebrate New Zealand culture; it keeps it alive and thriving, even as the world continues to change.
