Surrounded by the vibrant colours and resources of New Zealand's environment, our artists have always had a rich store of inspiration to draw on. And since the 1960's the global arts and craft movement has enjoyed a renaissance, which New Zealand has been a part of, and we now have a vigorous, exciting community of artists working in a variety of mediums.
Issue information
The Art Meets Craft stamp issue illustrated seven beautiful examples of New Zealand craft selected with the assistance of Creative New Zealand. The issue also explored the artistic link that has developed between New Zealand and Sweden, perhaps best demonstrated in the work of noted glass artists, Ola Höglund and Marie Simberg-Höglund. An example of their graal work is featured in one of the two stamps issued jointly with Sweden Post. There was also a Sweden joint issue stamp booklet available.
High Quality Reproductions
The two joint issue stamps were produced using an Intaglio process. In this process, the engraver etches the design into a high quality steel plate, then the paper is applied to the plate under pressure and forced into the grooves etched into the plate to pick up the ink. The ink actually stands above the paper surface which you can feel. The two joint issue stamps were engraved by Sweden Post's own highly regarded philatelic engraver, Lars Sjööblom. Engraved stamps are a popular feature of Swedish philately, and over 50 per cent of Sweden's issues feature the process.
Beautiful Collector's Pieces
Two eye-catching first day covers accompanied the stamps. One featured all seven of the stamps, the other featured two versions of the joint issue stamps, in both English and Swedish.
A beautifully designed Art Meets Craft presentation pack brought you more of the story behind the issue. It contained information on the artists and the techniques they used, plus fascinating background to Sweden and its stamps, along with a full mint set of stamps and two first day covers.
A Landmark Limited Edition
The artistry displayed in this visually stunning issue made Art Meets Craft a prime candidate for one of the few prestigious limited editions that we create each year. A miniature sheet was produced for inclusion in this premium product that was individually numbered and limited to 2,000 copies.
Acknowledgements
New Zealand Post wishes to acknowledge the following for their assistance and guidance in bringing together this special stamp issue.
- Willa Rodgers
- Graeme Priddle
- Raewyn Atkinson
- Gavin Hitchings
- Emma Camden
- Merilyn Wiseman
- Ola Höglund
- Marie Simberg-Höglund
The Höglund Art Glass Rainforest Vase featured on the $2.00 stamp was from the collection of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
Product Listing for Art Meets Craft
Click on image to enlarge.
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 40c 'Flax (joint issue)' gummed stamp. Nelson-based Willa Rogers creates her contemporary basketry using a range of plant fibres she collects from around the region - pine needles, flax, watsonia, nīkau and phoenix palm, cabbage tree and grapevine. Through her work, which is displayed in galleries throughout New Zealand, she strives to convey "a feeling for history and for the unknown and unsung artists of past centuries". |
$0.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 40c 'Wood' gummed stamp. 'Starfish Vessel' is made from Sheoak, mulga, paua shell, copper and metallic thread. Its strong natural patterns reflect the "sand, sea and creatures therein", drawn from Northland-based woodturner Graeme Priddle's love of New Zealand's coastline. This and other pieces from Graeme's 'South Pacific Vessel' series have been purchased for public and private collections nationally and internationally. |
$0.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 80c 'Clay' gummed stamp. Raewyn Atkinson has worked with the ovoid bowl, drawing on her long time fascination with historical events and their effects on New Zealand's culture, on this occasion the early whalers. 'Catch II' was inspired by both the enormous three-legged trypots they used to render the blubber and the 'spotting chairs' which often carried a row of notches recording the tally of catches. |
$0.80 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 90c 'Silver' gummed stamp. A brooch from a series of works by Nelson-based artist Gavin Hitchings. The series explores themes of the geophysical world and the ownership and exploitation of land. This piece, 'Vessel Form' is inspired by the Boulder Bank enclosing Nelson haven. Gavin is an artist member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and the recipient of numerous national awards and grants. |
$0.90 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.30 'Glass' gummed stamp. Emma Camden works with light, creating smooth, richly coloured glass vessels that capture the rays that pass through them. Emma emigrated here in 1991 and enjoys exploring themes of migration and displacement. The towers, her reaction to soulless big city spaces, are from her recent Immigration Series. Emma has exhibited regularly in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. |
$1.30 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.50 'Clay' gummed stamp. Features 'Pacific Rim' by Merilyn Wiseman. This white earthenware clay piece is 1.3 metres x 450mm x 380mm. It is hand built using clay slab construction - with a copper magnesium glaze. Merilyn attended Elam School of Art and Goldsmiths School of Art in London. She has received major Arts Council grants and won numerous awards including first prize in the Fletcher Brownbuilt Awards. |
$1.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'Glass (joint issue)' gummed stamp. Swedish-born Ola Höglund and Marie Simberg-Höglund settled in New Zealand in 1982 where they established Höglund Art Glass in Nelson. Ola and Marie's Scandinavian heritage is combined in their glass artwork, which reflects both the techniques and style of their training, and the freedom and beauty of their new country. Their use of colour in particular is refreshingly South Pacific. |
$2.00 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with all seven stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.80 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with English and Swedish versions of two joint issue stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $3.90 |
 |
Booklet | Booklet containing gummed joint issue stamps. | $8.00 |
 |
Presentation Pack | Presentation pack containing a selection of stamp products from the issue and further information on the theme of the stamps. | $24.95 |
 |
Limited Edition | Limited edition collectable containing exclusive stamp products not available anywhere else. | $135.00 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 2 May 2002 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Seven |
| Denominations and designs: | 40c Flax, 40c Wood, 80c Clay, 90c Silver, $1.30 Glass, $1.50 Clay, $2.00 Glass |
| Stamps and first day covers designed by: | Gardyne Design of Auckland |
| Engraved by: | Lars Sjööblom, Sweden Post Stamps (40c Flax and $2.00) |
| Printer and process: | 40c Wood, 80c, 90c, $1.30, $1.50: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin by offset lithography; 40c Flax and $2.00: Sweden Post Stamps, Sweden by offset intaglio |
| Number of colours: | 40c Wood, 80c, 90c, $1.30, $1.50: four process colours; 40c Flax and $2.00: four process colours plus intaglio |
| Stamp size and format: | 40c Wood, 80c, 90c, $1.30, $1.50: 40mm x 30mm (horizontal); 40c Flax and $2.00: 39.9mm x 31.25mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | 103gsm red phosphor coated litho paper |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 x 14 |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 50 and booklets of four (Swedish stamps only) |
| Cost of unaddressed first day covers: | Art Meets Craft: $7.80; Joint issue with Sweden: $3.90 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks, value blocks and logo blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least two stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 1 May 2003. |