Shaping pewter, aluminium and copper into intricate artworks became Ninette’s lifestyle in 2004. Metal embossing, metal wall art, metal interior decor or kitchen backsplashes – there is nothing she can’t create and nothing her worldwide fan base wouldn’t love. Her installations have travelled as far as the US, Portugal, Italy and South Africa, and can be found in private homes, luxury lodges and boutique hotels.
Images: Sandri Blom
“Pewter art suits collectors who are looking for something truly different. The metals I use – pewter, aluminium and copper – suit most decor styles, and designs can be customised to suit the individual artistic decor style of the buyer. Used on its own, the metallic colours add a touch of contemporary sophistication to interior design, but I also love painting on the metal to give it a whole new, modern look. It is a highly versatile artform and the possibilities are endless.” she says. And different she delivers. Ninette’s works are inspired by the colours,rhythms and animals of South Africa, where she is originally from, as well as the forests, lakes, beaches and gardens of New Zealand.
South Africa is a country alive with creative energy, vibrant colours, African rhythms, weird and wonderful animals and incredible natural beauty. These all shaped my creativity by forming the root system from which I draw ideas.
When Ninette met Anna Mollekin and Totaea Rendell – two artists equally passionate about showcasing the beauty of New Zealand – it was a perfect match. Ninette found a way to translate their highly detailed images of local flora and fauna into 3D metal artworks, and together they started donating a percentage of the sale of each collaborative artwork to a special cause or charity, including Breast Cancer Foundation, Moehau Environment Group’s kiwi sanctuary in the Coromandel and Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
Ninette has exciting plans for the future: “I’d like to focus more on functional art installations in luxury lodges and boutique hotels to showcase the collective talent of New Zealand artists. I’d also like to create one-of-a-kind metal kitchen backsplashes for luxury New Zealand homes.”
ninettekrugermetalart.com
Instagram: @ninettekrugermetalart