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A skate ramp in a Masonic lodge? These Whanganui-based artists have combined home and studio

A converted Masonic lodge doubles as an eclectic family home and art studio

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Meet and greet: Emma Camden and David Murray (both glass artists).

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The property: A converted 1884 Masonic lodge in Whanganui.

Emma with her son, Miro.

Emma Camden’s home is as extraordinary as the glass art she is known internationally for. Tucked into the heart of Whanganui, the former Masonic lodge is both her sanctuary and workspace. Upstairs, it’s a generous apartment – “about the size of a large villa” – while downstairs is her glass studio, where she creates intricate sculptural pieces alongside her partner David Murray, who is also a glass artist. Of course, the tale of how she came to be the owner of this house is as unusual as the building itself.

Originally from England, Emma first arrived in New Zealand for love but stayed for glass. She lived in Auckland for a decade before making the move south to Whanganui in the late 1990s, newly single and in search of a fresh start. It was local ceramic artist Ross Mitchell-Anyon who made it all happen.

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The decor is subtle, with muted dusky greys and purples by Resene Karen Walker Paints, allowing the artwork to take centre stage. “The colour isn’t the focus – the art is,” says Emma.

“He introduced me to this building and even the bank manager to get the loan to buy it,” Emma recalls. “He had a vision for bringing artists to Whanganui to create a community, starting with me – and it worked. I think I’ve influenced nine others to make the move since living here.”

Back then, Whanganui was a far quieter town than it is today, but Emma saw the potential – she purchased the old 3000sqm lodge off Ross for a mere $60,000. It was just as striking then as it is now – but it needed work.

An old black fireplace in the living room
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“We didn’t even have a kitchen or water upstairs when we first moved in,” Emma says. “The first year was miserable – and so cold – but we slowly made it work. You tend to just take on these projects when you’re younger.”

Emma and David didn’t have a master plan to renovate the house – it just evolved to suit their needs over time, including when two became three and then four. Their children, Lola (23) and Miro (20), have flown the nest – Lola’s finishing a fine arts degree in Christchurch and Miro’s about to embark on an anthropology degree in Wellington – but they were raised in this house.

The Whanganui lodge lilac kitchen
The family lives in the upstairs apartment, which has an open-plan kitchen and living area that is full of art.

“We didn’t realise we’d have children when we moved in,” Emma shares. “It didn’t immediately lend itself to being a family home but we adapted to family life in a strange building.”

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Being a former Masonic lodge, it comes with quirks. The upstairs apartment is an eclectic mix of generous spaces, including a massive ballroom, which houses Emma’s surprise 50th birthday present, a skate ramp.

The lilac kitchen behind a wooden dining room table
The ceramic mannequin feet are a Christine Thacker work, which somehow remained intact through children Miro and Lola growing up.

“I thought we were building a new room,” Emma laughs. “David had secretly had someone create a half-pipe skate ramp for me in situ. At the surprise party, over 100 people watched me christen it in my rollerskates – after a few drinks. That drop-in could have gone badly.”

Emma’s love of rollerskating also features elsewhere in the house. Artist Julia Holden painted Emma and Lola in their rollerskates as part of a series on strong women. The painting is proudly displayed on the lounge wall, reminding Emma of her lovely connection with her daughter every time she glances at it.

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A desk in front of a wall covered in framed art

As you’d expect, art is littered all over this home. The 6m-high ceilings provide a big, generous background for artworks Emma and David have collected over a lifetime.

“Artists buy art,” Emma explains. “We covet it. We’ve amassed an amazing photography collection, including works by Laurence Aberhart and Peter Peryer. Every piece has a story.”

Miro crocheting on the Whanganui lodge living room couch
The William Morris curtains behind Miro are both beautiful and practical, keeping the house warm in winter. “They were an inheritance gift from my aunty,” Emma shares. The double burner fire heats up the large house efficiently, especially now they’ve put insulation in.
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The walls are a gallery of memories, featuring pieces like Bill Hammond prints from a South Island road trip and a Chris Weaver teapot purchased from Avid Gallery.

“Everything here has a story,” Emma says. “We’re surrounded by things we love, and that’s what makes this place so special.”

Even practical considerations, like the home’s towering ceilings, have shaped their collection. “We need big artwork for this space,” Emma explains. “Even changing a light bulb requires scaffolding.”

The Whanganui lodge main bedroom
The couple just put in a new bathroom, opting for floor-to-ceiling tiles, which they’re very happy with. The ceiling is painted in Resene Karen Walker Robin Egg Blue. In its previous life, this was the room where the masons kept all their cloaks.
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The couple don’t need to go far to find new art. Over the years, they’ve watched Whanganui transform into a vibrant hub for artists. “There’s such a mix here: glass artists, fine artists, makers. It’s snowballed into an incredible community,” says Emma.

Living in the centre of the Whanganui township adds to the appeal of the former lodge. “I don’t need a car,” Emma says. “It only takes minutes for me to walk to the Sarjeant Gallery, the cinema, my favourite bakery, or even my local drinking club, The Teal Lounge. Now that’s a cool place – it has three booths and can fit only 20 of us at a time.”

Emma's Whanganui lodge home studio
Emma hard at work in her studio
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And, of course, her work commute is a matter of seconds. The studio downstairs is a space of quiet focus, where Emma works on multiple pieces simultaneously, each taking between six weeks and three months to complete. “I love heading down there, putting on a podcast and getting lost in the process,” she says.

Emma’s creative process is deeply personal. Her glassworks, held in prestigious collections like the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Clinton, explore themes including life balance, loss and motherhood.

The Whanganui lodge bathroom

“I work through what’s affecting me in my life,” she says. “At the moment, my pieces are sculptural, almost brutalist, and I’m fascinated by light and shadow.”

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While Emma values privacy in her work – “I like a bit of mystery” – her art is becoming larger in scale. Her first large-scale sculpture – a work previously made from glass that artist Greg Tuthill has replicated in metal for Emma – is currently on display at Sculpture in the Gardens.

A vase of hydrangeas on top of the fireplace
Flowers and pots of crafts on a table

Emma and David considered leaving their unique home when they fell for an old power station in Napier but it was the middle of a recession and a terrible time to sell, so they stayed put.

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“We’re at the stage where we need a new kitchen,” Emma admits. “But this place has given us everything we’ve ever wanted – both as a family and as artists. You’re so spoiled, living in a place like this, that you can’t imagine going back to live in a normal house afterwards.”

Emma’s work Shadow House is on display at Sculpture in the Gardens at Auckland Botanic Gardens. The free event runs until 2 March.

The exterior of the Whanganui lodge
The former Whanganui Freemasons lodge was built from tōtara and was consecrated in 1884.

Home truths

Favourite room in the house? The outdoor deck is my retreat. I have a butterfly collection out there. There are more than 100 caterpillars and chrysalises at the moment. I spend a lot of time just watching them and enjoying the moment before they all fly away.

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What are some of your favourite things in your home? The photography. Actually, it’s hard to say – I love the objects too. My absolute fave at this moment is a Chis Weaver teapot that we bought from Avid Gallery. Chris is one of the most divine ceramicists in New Zealand, and the wooden handle is so stunning. I don’t pour tea from this one but I have another one of his that we do use.

Emma sitting on the skate ramp in the Whanganui lodge

Your best memory in your home? We’ve had some great parties here, like my surprise 50th, and I had a glass conference party that was really special. The party theme was illuminate and all 200 people came lit up. Some had access to Wētā Workshop and came with full lit-up suits on. There was a DJ, lights, action and lovely people.

Is your downstairs studio open to the public? No. I’m very secretive – a bit like the masons. I do like a bit of mystery in what we do – I think it’s rather nice that people don’t know everything, although I am trying to get better at sharing stuff on Instagram.

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Shop Emma and David’s Whanganui lodge style

Clockwise from top left: Canyon Buffet, $499.99, at Mocka; Bouclair Autumn Hues Wavy Top Vase, $33, at Spotlight; Bari Fabric Modular Sofa, $6,199, at Freedom; KOO Natural Wall Art II, $65, at Spotlight.

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