Yuka O'Shannessy

Artisan Retail

Public Record is a gallery store in Ponsonby owned by designer and stylist Yuka O’Shannessy. Public Record represents both New Zealand and international artists and makers who create high standard art, craft and design pieces from raw materials using age-old or technical processes specific to their practices. The space is designed to be welcoming and calm to encourage contemplation and appreciation for the personal narratives and skills of the artists along with the conversations they evoke. We like to envisage that these works will be kept as family heirlooms that are passed down through generations. As well as providing this for its customers, Public Record has built a strong and supportive creative community for its artists too. Public Record intends to provide a place and space for cultural exchanges. Our ever-evolving catalogue is centred around Yuka’s two homes: Aotearoa, New Zealand and Japan. As well as representing Japanese artists in New Zealand and offering workshops on traditional crafts, Public Record also represents New Zealand artists in Japan. We are excited about the possibilities for new understandings of traditional practices. Another theme central to the curation of the store is the principles of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy loosely translated to a reverence for that which is imperfect, natural and honest either; as a way of life or in aesthetics. Born in Tokyo, Yuka has been living in Aotearoa with her family for the past 20 years. She believes in intentional living and creating a world that is warm, refined, considered and one of quiet beauty.