Ditty Box gets Island Bay artist animated

A FORMER illustrator for award-winning Australian TV series Dogstar,  Gavin Mouldey (above) has opened a gallery in Island Bay where he is displaying his latest work, which includes illustrated tea towels.

Some 80 people turned up at the opening of the Ditty Box on The Parade and his tea towel designs showing a map of the area featuring fantasy monsters were a hit.

One buyer says he appreciates seeing Owhiro Bay on a tea towel and is intrigued as to what the monster in the quarry is suppose to be.

Gavin explains it is a rock monster inspired by movies such as The Never Ending Story.

He says working in his new gallery makes him have to look like he is busy: “There’s too much temptation to watch TV.

“It’s easy not to work at home,” he says. “Ironically, I get less done commercially, because people come and chat to me.”

The walls are decorated with three artists who studied art in Wanganui together, Gavin, Fabian Todd and  Patrick Cush.

Fabian says he enjoyed the opening: “Eight people went straight to the corner where my art work was, which made me chuckle to myself.”

MONSTER TEA TOWEL: Gavin Mouldey's fantastical creation. PHOTO: Abby Brown