Mal White –
man of many talents

West Kin loves these designs made into metal screens
by local Mal White and thinks they’d make an excellent addition to any garden design.

Words & Photography: Sheryl Burson

When I met Mal, it’s like seeing an old friend you haven’t seen in years. we had a shared history of magazine work and a love for collecting. I was so busy chatting I almost forgot the reason I had visited his home which was to see some of his amazing screens in his Glen Eden garden. They form a small circle with bench seating that frames his garden and allows glimpses through to the plants.

1 What does creativity mean to you?
I believe creativity is the essence of our being. We are surrounded by creativity in our lives. Nature is filled with it in so many vast forms. It is unpredictable and exciting the same time and forever evolving. I am constantly inspired by what I see, hear and smell; if you could bottle it, you would make zillions.

2. What got you into art and design?
Sadly, the smell of crayons and paint as a small child led to my affliction and addiction to art and design. Art and design these days are becoming a lot more technology based which creates challenges in
itself. Something that seemed more hands-on and natural when I was younger is becoming more software lead and almost ‘right side of the brain’ thinking.

3 How important is a creative lifestyle to you?
Our house is a by-product of some of my creativity being allowed to be let loose on occasion. I am like a dog with a bone once I get a creative idea in my head and 99% of the time I see that project through to the end. I love being surrounded by creative people and sharing ideas; I call it the
‘Creative Hive’

4 When did you move out West and why?
I have always had a desire to move out West, I think it is the monkey in me that sees all those trees and thinks ‘Home’. We moved out here in 2003 after narrowly avoiding buying an old bell tower style church/house in Ngatea which would have meant a 100km commute to work every day. We have no regrets, and both of us have fallen deeply in love with the place. People out West seem more real to me, and less anxious too, and I get a strong sense of a creative vibe about. Maybe it is something in the water (I suspect that’s not water they are drinking though lol!)

5 Do you have a favourite place out West?
West Auckland is rich with beautiful places to relax and unwind. I have several favourite cafes out West which I can’t name in case I get found out. My favourite beach is French Bay. I am often either running or walking down there in the mornings and love to just sit on a park bench and listen to the rest of the world humming away in the distance like a swarm of bees. Our house and garden is a favourite place too… ‘Garden of West Eden’ we call it and since we have been planting more
fruit trees and native trees in the last few years we have discovered an abundance of wildlife returning.

To see more of Mals work CLICK HERE

I have to thank Mal for the beautiful illustration he did for the cover of Issue 4 of West kin. I love it…