Ornate Other is a curated showcase
of emerging designers – presented by small-press imprint Ornate Gesture.
This is the place for beautiful publications and a wonderful community.
2024
Still, Life 01
Kodi Oke
Stil,Life is an inventory of present musings - a collection of curiosities intended to inspire reflection and creative exploration. It is a slow meander through small pleasures. Printed and handbound by Kodi Oke the zine is an extension of her irl still-life sessions that invite the audience to connect with the intricacies of the world around them and use these moments as starting points for creation. Still, Life intends to bring the seemingly insignificant to the forefront, and in doing so acknowledges that sometimes small acts of craft, care, and connection are the most important.
The Star
Alice Nicholls & Neha De Alwis
A zine that collages together two twin poems about being alive. Set against a backdrop of stars, clouds, skies, earth, and wandering celestial bodies, The Star asks the reader to peer at the world through animal eyes. The Star wants you to breathe slower. To linger in earthly pleasures. To be gentle to this world. To let it be gentle to you. The Star wants you to love the world a little louder.
Walking Thoughts
Emily Shaw
"Walking Thoughts" is a zine capturing the raw essence of morning strolls. It delves into the intricate interplay between landscapes and the human psyche, exploring the types of contemplation inspired by each view and step. From mysterious fog to the silent beams of light, it represents the connection between mind and environment and the importance of stepping away from something for a second to evolve. This zine invites readers to escape from a screen and cherish the simplicity of natural landscapes and the profound insights found in every step.
Untitled
Neha Subramanian
There is so much in our lives where we sometimes focus on bigger things and forget those smaller moments—those moments where, despite nothing significant happening, we just feel happy. For my zine, I wanted to capture these smaller moments of our lives. Random yet meaningful, small yet capable of making us smile. It's important for us to remember and acknowledge them because every moment of our lives defines us, even the small ones. It doesn't matter if it's a photo, an object, or writing; it shows how far we've come. It's a record of our lives. Our exsistence in this vast universe.
Homesick Peach
Kodi Oke
Homesick Peach is a deep dive into the nostalgia of home. It weaves together the sights and sensations of a suburbia lost to time - exploring notions of identity and place-making through the home and garden. The work was initially rendered in acrylic on board, before being digitally formatted, hand cut and bound by Kodi Oke.
The Last Journey
Dayna Hayman
The Last Journey of Gail has taken her to the shores of Ayla, the homeland of the Elves.
Her planet is slowly draining away and dying but she must press onwards for a glowing blue flower of hope - only to be found in Ayla's vast and dangerous forest.
This short story of survival and family is told in a beautifully illustrated indi-zine.
2023
Catastrophic Catastrophe’s
with Cats
Sean Robert Taylor
The comic focuses on a friendly feline named Rodney, each comic is named after a word that starts with the letters ‘C.A.T’, acting as a loose prompt experimenting with narrative. The comic uses patterns and textures to create surreal scenery juxtaposed with cute wholesome characters inspired by artists such as Louis Wain, Art Spiegelman and Tony Millionaire.
Albert Street Wanderings
Frances Danckert
Albert Street Wanderings is a psychogeographic exploration of the internal and external worlds between Lygon Street and Sydney Road. Weaving together personal narrative and spacial exploration, the Boustrophedon fold acts as an interactive mode of discovery, revealing hidden details and new forms with each turn.
Nature Play
Bella Tobin & Bella Donoghue
A zine which encourages people to mindfully interact and creatively engage with nature. The pages will take you on a gentle walk through Aotearoa, providing prompts for moving through nature and creatively playing like a kid.
Untitled
Clarise Sum
This zine was created by Clarise Sum in response to the 2023 Lunar New Year shooting in Monterey Park, California. Clarise is an emerging artist and designer, practicing on Wurundjeri land, who is passionate about combining fine art and design to fuel a unique discipline.