Our Story
Welcome to My Gothic Love Story, a unique artistic venture born in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand. We specialise in macabre and unusual art, crafting ethically sourced and environmentally conscious pieces that celebrate the beauty found within darkness and death.
The Origin of 'My Gothic Love Story'
My Gothic Love Story is the creation of Hannah Garner-Smith, an artist and author based in Christchurch. Hannah holds a Masters in Medieval History from the University of Canterbury and has extensively studied death and memorial practices, as well as the historical and anthropological approaches to burial practices in early Christchurch and New Zealand.
Ethical Sourcing and Environmental Consciousness
We work predominantly with bone and recycled or discarded items to create mixed media art. Our art explores themes of materialism, colonisation, and the ecological damage caused by introduced pest species in Aotearoa. All animal bones and skins are sourced from introduced species that harm our native flora and fauna.
Our Unique Perspective
By transforming these introduced species into art and jewellery, we encourage reflection on their role in twenty-first century Aotearoa and the efforts required to restore native bush and eliminate harmful species. We believe in creating art with a purpose, sparking conversations about ecology and history.