Free Time

– Free: Creative Services

I’ve been a practicing artist since 2006, and have exhibited widely, both locally and internationally.

My work is conceptually-based and takes many forms, most of which generate no income 🙄. Despite my social reticence I am irresistably drawn to projects that feature social practice, collaboration or third-party participation, where the objects are in service to the idea. When I do make things I prefer to work with everyday materials:

Taken out, 2023. Paper bag, graphite, gold leaf. Parkin drawing prize finalist

and when I sell things I keep the costs low, because art is for everyone.

Ten dollar brooches, 2026. Woven name tape, safety pins.
Pin pin, my love song to the safety pin, 2026.Glass beads, thread, safety pin

How can I help you?

Whether you’re an artist, art lover, art-curious, or art-sceptic, I’d be delighted to assist with:

  • gallery trips; greater Wellington area, transport included
  • creative support; studio visits, idea development, feedback/dialogue
  • studio assistance, active collaboration
  • project initiation, block-bashing, brainstorming
  • virtual studio buddy evenings / digital shared space for art or craft activity

CV: SARAH READ, ARTIST

Statement

Artist Yinka Shonibare said ‘You can fix the world through your art – or you can somehow make it more bearable’, and it’s this possibility of effecting transformation (however small) that motivates me. I want my work to:

  • spark connections
  • force encounters; cause a pause
  • encourage (myself and others)

Clandestine ops, urban interventions, guerilla projects; these are gold, they brighten all our days. I love the spark and camaraderie of working within a group, and the potential for serendipity when working with the public.

In 2013 I co-founded studio/crit group Occupation: Artist and relish our urban interventions, installations and social initiatives. I was also a founding member of The See Here, a window gallery which contributes to Wellington’s rich street life with a rolling programme of experimental shows.

Images (See selected projects here)

Education

  • BA Visual Arts (Jewellery), Whitireia New Zealand
  • BA (Hons) Fine Art, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

Professional engagement

Selected exhibitions 2016-2026


2025

  • Give + Take with Occupation: ARTIST, Viewfinder, Nelson

2024

  • Changing Threads, Nelson Arts Council, finalist
  • Give + Take with Occupation: ARTIST, Radiant Pavilion, Melbourne
  • Sweet Labour, RMIT Library, Radiant Pavilion, Melbourne

2023

  • H x W x D, Twentysix Gallery, Wellington
  • Push Play, Te Auaha, Wellington
  • Changing Threads, Nelson Arts Council, finalist and Merit Award winner
  • Parkin Prize finalist, NZAFA, Wellington
  • Navigating Winter, International Residency, Jelly Arts, Reading
  • Reflect: 10 Years of Occupation: ARTIST, Refinery ArtSpace, Nelson
  • Contained:Uncontained, Refinery ArtSpace, Nelson
  • Is Your Contemporary Jewellery Body Positive? Platform Arts, Geelong, Australia
  • Textile Adjacent, Kingsroy Gallery, New Plymouth
  • Rule Number One, TheSeeHere, Wellington

2022

  • delimit, Thistle Hall, Wellington
  • Textile Adjacent, Anvil House Gallery, Wellington
  • Molly Morpeth Canady 3D awards, Whangārei, finalist

2021

  • HandShake Group Show at Refinery ArtSpace, Nelson
  • Contained/Uncontained, Melbourne

2020

  • Show Us Your RONA, TempContemp, Melbourne
  • Reset, Gallery Faux, Wellington

2019

  • HandShake in dialogue with CODA collection, CODA Museum, Apeldoorn, Netherlands
  • Sweet As, Holybrook Gallery, Reading

2018

  • Sweet As, Jelly Arts, Reading
  • Te Ao Hurihuri, The Crypt Gallery, London
  • To the power of 3, Turbine House, Reading
  • On the Go, Te Auaha Gallery, Wellington Arts festival
  • Superpositions, Stanley St, Sydney

2017

  • How to Make a Necklace from a Chair, TheSeeHere, Wellington
  • The Jewellers Have Landed, Tate Modern, London
  • Outside Galerie Biro, Munich
  • Outside Gallery Funaki, Melbourne
  • Reflect, The Dowse Art Museum, Wellington
  • Paved with Gold with Occupation: Artist, Radiant Pavilion, Melbourne
  • HandShake 3, Frame Galleries, Munich

2016

  • Specials, HandShake alumni, Einsaulensaal, Munich2012
  • Outside Gallery SO,  London
  • Outside Platina, Stockholm
  • HandShake, Platina, Stockholm
  • Ahi Kā – Keep the Fires Buring, Pātaka, Wellington
  • Lighten up, TheSeeHere, Wellington
  • Playthings, Refinery Art Space, Nelson
References
I have been privileged to work with Sarah for the last four years and seen a steady progression, with some unique results, like having a NY gallery dealer and instigator of impressive social art projects.
In the last year Sarah’s exhibition work demonstrated unique development with impressive creative impact. It is apparent that Sarah’s practice has benefitted greatly from her participation in the HandShake project, where she is paired with the esteemed Iris Eichenberg, head of the jewellery department/artist in residence at the Cranbrook School of Art, USA.
Her Handshake blog shows her unique passion, enthusiasm and generosity.
Peter Deckers, Head of Jewellery, Whitireia New Zealand
i saw Sarah’s face and heard her voice for the first time via skype , an unfriendly medium for a good conversation.
a medium not made to build trust and or be direct and feel comfortable to speak for me at least.
Sarah’s honesty and carefulness , unpretentiously sharing her wonders and thoughts made me overcome this barrier.
later on in our contact she spend some time in my department and the first impression was just a little glimpse of what she has to offer and give.
this is a beautiful mind and a deeply invested person to whom you can trust the stories of life.
she will treasure them greatly.
…and you might find yourself seduced to look at the little things in a different way…..
Iris Eichenberg, Artist in Residence, Metals, Cranbrook Academy of the Arts, MI, USA