Modern Heirlooms brings together the work of Antoinette Ratcliffe and Ben Klocek in a collection of captured moments in time, presented in the vestry at Old St Paul’s.
This intimate space will be the home to taxidermy birds mid-tumble, butterflies set in a world adjacent to our won, and the duo's 2025 collaboration piece, 'Apricity'.
Ratcliffe and Klocek invite you to take a moment with this collection in the peace of the vestry to contemplate the fragility and beauty of the individuals protected under glass.
Ratcliffe only uses ethically sourced animals for her artwork, and all butterflies used in Klocek's artworks are unprotected species collected from sustainable sources.
All works are for sale.
This exhibition, on until 31 March, will take place in Old St Paul's suitably unique octagonal vestry, where visitors could once take in stunning harbour views. The vestry traditionally served as the building's clergy office for 98 years and was a place for officials to change into their ceremonial robes.
Artist bios
Antoinette Ratcliffe completed her Master of Arts at The School of Media Arts (Wintec) in 2011. She began learning taxidermy in 2015 and introduced the media into her practice the following year. Her taxidermy is now held in educational collections around New Zealand, and her art works are held in private collections around the world.
Post-medium artist Ben Klocek creates pieces that explore the contrast between the physical and metaphysical. By utilising paint, ink, assemblage, entomology, and lepidoptery – combined with his interest in the surreal parts of life – he introduces us to scenes that feel natural despite their unlikely combinations.
Also check out other Arts events in Wellington, Exhibitions in Wellington.
