ABOUT US

Harman and Harman showcase and combine the creative art work of Lisa and Brett Harman

Lisa is a contemporary artist working in acrylic. With a dominant feminine/domestic theme her paintings have a unique, fresh style. Lisa’s work has sold internationally and is represented in many private collections in NZ. Lisa opened a shop/gallery at home about 3 years ago. Originally it had just her paintings but seeing a need for more creative license Lisa was soon making all sorts of gorgeous things including a range of ever popular painted wooden letters, jewellery and more recently a range of items using recycled corrugated iron.

Brett is adamant that he is not an artist, that he can’t stand them! He just likes making things, particularly if he found the objects in a paddock out the back of beyond. Having worked many jobs over the years he has picked up enough skills to turn his hand to anything and really enjoys a challenge. Brett has worked in the film industry for many years and claims that his house could be a film set! He also worked for Weta Workshop during the making of Lord of the Rings.

The Harman’s left Hawkes Bay about 9 years ago and now reside in Carterton, in the beautiful region of the Wairarapa. This area is about an hour from the capital city of Wellington, New Zealand. They bought a piece of land on the main highway and built a house. In Harman tradition, no ordinary house! They purchased a disused cyclone barn and proceeded to build a home within it. Using straw bale walls at each end, it has now become a Carterton landmark at the southern end of town. Thanks to Brett the property has developed quickly over the years. The gardens are quite formal with stone pillars, fountains, fantastical ironwork and it regularly inspires everybody who visits.

In 2004 the Harman’s house won ‘Castle Of the Year’. The house also featured on ‘Extreme Houses of the World’ and was featured on satellite TV throughout the world.

The Harman’s have made a very special place to live. Even as you pull up the drive you instantly know that you have stepped into a very creative environment and want to know what is around the next corner.

"We love living semi-rurally, our boys get all the advantages of living in the country yet have access to a major city only an hour away. We both like our own areas to create in. Brett has his shed and its been many a time that a visitor to my gallery ends up spending more time looking at Brett’s over flowing treasure trove. I have an art room inside-although my creativity tends to spread onto the kitchen table and well………, to be honest any available flat surface is fair game to me!! We do tend to live the good life, complete with big vegetable garden, chickens, pets galore and not much time for housework!!" ~ Lisa


HARMAN & HARMAN
The Round House
Cnr Dalefield Rd & High Street South, Carterton

Phone: +64 6 379 8303
Mobile: 021 0241 1832



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