Liam Bowden, aka the founder of cult New Zealand accessories brand Deadly Ponies, has long been a passionate supporter of the arts. As a local artisan himself, it comes as no surprise that this year Deadly Ponies will be supporting the emerging artists’ mezzanine floor, Piki Mai: Up Here^^, which will house works from some of Australasia’s brightest new talent at next week’s Auckland Art Fair.

Not only has Bowden combined forces with acclaimed interior designer and stylist Katie Lockhart to create the installation that will house a new series of beautiful DP scarves Silks ’18 but he has also called upon a very cool initiative called Cloud Workshop. Run by Auckland-based photographer and teacher Deb Smith, the workshop sees children suffering the death of a loved one in their family, come together to create contemporary art as an escape/way of dealing with their grief. For the purpose of Bowden’s project, each child has made a mask that will become an integral part of the installation.

As though we needed more reason to get to the AFF, Bowden’s collaborative efforts will bring an aesthetically pleasing sense of integrity to the much-hyped event. So if you’re heading to The Cloud this weekend, be sure to head upstairs to bask in even more incredible local craftsmanship.