In 2006, Auckland artist Christina Read won the National Drawing Award with her intriguing work I should have been a detective. The piece was described by the judges as "full of mystery, absurdity and sophistication that plays on its simple rendering."

From 9-16 March, she will be one of ten artists occupying a shop window for a week during the Auckland Festival, AK07. Stop by Whitcoulls on Queen Street for a gander...In 2006, Auckland artist Christina Read won the National Drawing Award with her intriguing work I should have been a detective. The piece was described by the judges as "full of mystery, absurdity and sophistication that plays on its simple rendering."

From 9-16 March, she will be one of ten artists occupying a shop window for a week during the Auckland Festival, AK07. Stop by Whitcoulls on Queen Street for a gander...During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
That really depends, but probably not first thing in the morning.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
An ironic sense of humour, unexpected and engaging juxtapositions of objects, texts, images. Eccentric lists and collections of things.

Who would you most like to design something for?
Daniel Craig - the new James Bond.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
When I have made something I like and still like it the next day.

How do you think your environment affects your work?
My environment is important to me, I prefer peace and quiet when I'm working.

Many of your artworks reference books and writing - if you could take credit for an author's work, whose would it be?
Gertrude Stein - How To Write.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Details first with an eye on the bigger picture.

Describe the ways in which your childhood play has influenced how you work as an adult.
I don't think it's had a particular effect but I do sometimes use photographs that I have accumulated over the years, including a few from my childhood, as inspiration for sculptures or to use in installations.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
I enjoyed working on The Book Project, accumulating the List of Books I'd Like to Read was fun if never ending. Then turning the list of desired books into 'real' desirable objects by painting the titles onto old books with shiny colourful enamel was very satisfying.

Describe the installation you've created for the Auckland Festival, AK07.
During 9-16 March, I am participating in Windows as part of the Auckland Festival, AK07. I am one of ten artists who will be occupying a shop window for a week. The window I will be located in is at Whitcoulls on Queen Street.

My planned approach is to use my window as a studio/performance space; my project will be playing on the idea of the solitary individual, creating absurd artworks. I will be making sculptures out of plaster, scrim, found material and white paint - the public will witness a growing mass of work. The title, The Tragedy of Doctor Simms, implies a narrative; I enjoy the fact that the whole performance could refer to the genre of a stage play or a silent film.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Perhaps I would have trained to be a detective or maybe a concert pianist.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Swaffham.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Through headphones on the bus on the way home, or when walking through busy streets. I enjoy seeing real life as a backdrop to the music I am listening to.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
I would add a bit of plaster and make a nice sculpture.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
It could be worse.

What's your favourite word?
Yes.

What's great about today?
Excitement for tomorrow.

Interview by Cass Hesom-Williams

27/2/07