Mandy Jakich is a treasured member of the extended Parnell Gallery family. With a rich background in education, art education, and community arts, Mandy brings an infectious passion for creativity to everything she turns her mind to. She is the founder and CEO of Creative Matters, a wonderful award-winning art education business that has been inspiring minds since 2015. Over time, Mandy’s endeavours have evolved to include her Creative Matters podcast, which now boasts an impressive 151 episodes (and counting).
Mandy is well-known for her engaging interviews with artists, frequently attending exhibition openings to connect with creatives and explore their unique journeys. Her conversations celebrate the stories of Aotearoa’s artists and arts practitioners, delving into their personal paths, art practices, and perspectives, all while fostering creativity and documenting New Zealand’s social history.
In this special blog, Mandy talks to us about her perspective on art; sharing her insight, experience, and love for the creative process. Click the link in our bio to read the full journal now.
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What does art bring to your world – both in your personal life and from your various professional capacities?
Art IS my world! I’m passionate about encouraging and supporting creativity for communities and individuals, learning about art and making art myself. Art helps me to celebrate, commemorate, connect and really notice the things around me.
My business Creative Matters creates opportunities for people of all ages to get creative and embrace the creative process. We provide art education and experiences for children, community and school based art projects, professional development in the visual arts for teachers and opportunities for artists to speak about their creative journey, art practice and process through the Creative Matters podcast. I am also very involved in the visual arts in my community of Muriwai Beach.
These things inspire me in my own multi media art practice.
Can you tell us about a few favourite pieces of art in your own collection and what they mean to you?
A stitch work by my grandmother Molly Jensen, beautifully framed by Doug Gow, which inspired me to do an embroidery course and work with thread in my own art practice (Above: Left) .
AROHA a tufted work by Muriwai textile artist Liz Smith signifies the immense love I have for my family. I commissioned Liz to make it at a challenging time just before I had open heart surgery in 2023 (Above: Centre).
HEART My daughter Tayla Williams made this heart for me that same year in 2023 for Christmas, which I absolutely cherish (Above: Right).
I have a number of paintings by local artist (and friend) Tanya Blong. This is my favourite ….. it reminds me of our 70s home in the lush surroundings of Muriwai Beach. (Below: Left)
Philippa Bentley – a contra deal after she came to Muriwai for her podcast recording.Screen print on a navigational sea chart. My father was a hydrographer who made these charts around NZ so it means a lot to me. (Below: Centre)
Tony Ogle and Judith Milner limited edition prints (Below: Right).
When do you buy art, is it a sporadic occurrence, or is it built around milestones … or something in between?
I like to buy the work of artists I have a connection with and work that I connect with personally in some way – as often as I can afford to! I enjoy buying my daughter Tayla and my son Brodie art for their growing art collection and they each received a painting for their 21st birthdays. I also love to buy my husband George art that I know he’ll love. We celebrated his recent 60th birthday with a special work by Tony Ogle that spoke to his happy long board surfing moments on NZ beaches and last Christmas I bought him a print by local artist Judith Milner which reminded us of our early sailing and fishing days in the Hauraki Gulf. We are always adding to our large eclectic art collection that is based on connection, not investment, and our walls are so packed I’m now limited to very small works only!
Mandy graciously shared a selection of recent and current works that resonated deeply with her and her thoughts around these pieces.
Sally Bulling – Flowers From Andy XII: Peony Pink & Old Faithful Red
I love pink and red together and shiny things! I’m a big fan of Sally Bulling and her work.
Ross Jones – Line Honours
I really connect to this painting. I’m so drawn to the mid century feel and design of the house and the reference to sailing, which is how I met my darling husband George. The sea has always been in my veins.
Karen Walters – Ringa Rakau
I love the delicate nature of this work and I love my garden, which this work reminds me of.
Sara Langdon – Homecoming (Rangitoto, Browns, & Motutapu Islands)
I grew up on the North Shore and spent endless summer days on Milford and Takapuna beaches and sailing in the Hauraki Gulf. These works speak of home to me.
Gretchen Albrecht – Erosion
Gretchen Albrecht was the artist who inspired me to start painting in my early twenties, along with Mark Rothko, and I think of her as one of my favourite NZ artists.