In January 2016 iconic Wellington department store Kirkaldies and Staines closed its doors after 152 years in business. In response, artist Jade Townsend paid homage with her solo show ‘R.I.P. Kirks’, referencing items of store memorabilia newly acquired by the Wellington Museum. With this series, Townsend explores the question – should we mourn the end of retail IRL (in real life)?

Townsend investigates modern consumerist trends, unpacking where imitation ends and authenticity begins, and its power in determining our aesthetic values. She often employs the seductive techniques used within high fashion boutiques, presenting her works, made from marbled linoleum, gold tape or counterfeit paint as ‘luxury products’.

Born in Wanganui 1986, Jade completed her BA (Hons) Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University, England in 2009. In 2014 Townsend travelled to China on the Wellington-Asia Residency Exchange and exhibited in Beijing in 2015. She has shown throughout the Wellington region in both solo and group shows, in private and public galleries.