Frankie Meaden
Frankie Meaden is a contemporary artist working primarily with fibre and mixed media to create large-scale, tactile works for public, commercial, and exhibition contexts.
Her practice is grounded in material exploration and process-led making, with a strong focus on how work behaves over time and within space. Known for transforming recycled rope and repurposed street banners into giant, tactile installations that celebrate colour, community, and sustainability – literally turning materials destined for landfill into vibrant public moments.
Through layering, repetition, and considered construction, Frankie develops pieces that respond to site, scale, and audience, often blurring the boundary between textile, sculpture, and installation.
Frankie’s work has been commissioned for public settings across Auckland and internationally, including large-scale outdoor and interior installations. She regularly works with reclaimed and repurposed materials, balancing environmental responsibility with durability, longevity, and professional installation requirements.
Alongside public work, Frankie maintains an active studio practice, developing exhibition-based and conceptual bodies of work that inform and extend her commissioned projects. Her work often draws quiet reference from the landscapes and biodiversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, not necessarily as direct representation, but as an influence on rhythm, form, and material behaviour.
The textile nature of her works also brings functional benefits: layered, soft-surface construction absorbs sound, enhancing atmospheres in large interior spaces such as lobbies, atriums, and banking environments. Each project is developed through a slow and careful creative process, ensuring thoughtful design, technical precision, and a finished work that is visually rich and materially resilient.
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Artworks by Frankie Meaden
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Pink & Cream Tulips
See Artwork »This original textile artwork brings a luminous elegance to any space with its layered pink and cream tulip forms, rich in texture and tactile presence. Handmade in Aotearoa New Zealand from reclaimed materials sourced from Auckland’s streets, the piece transforms everyday materials into a beautifully considered work of art that invites close viewing and quiet reflection.
Created through a slow, deliberate process, this framed tapestry balances vibrant expression with thoughtful craft. Each stitch contributes to the work’s depth and material richness, making it a striking addition to both contemporary and classic interiors.
Measuring 940mm × 640mm, the artwork comes professionally framed and ready to hang, presenting a gallery‑ready finish that complements its thoughtful construction.
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Pink & Cream Tulips I
See Artwork »A companion piece within the Pink & Cream Tulips series, this original embroidery explores variation through repetition. Subtle shifts in stitch density and form give the work its own distinct presence.
Made entirely by hand in Auckland using reclaimed materials, this artwork celebrates patience, process, and the expressive potential of textile at scale.
Finished and ready to hang.
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Pink & Cream Tulips II
See Artwork »This original textile artwork translates tulip forms into bold stitch and surface, creating a gentle rhythm of colour and texture. Made slowly by hand, the work invites closer looking and rewards detail.
Constructed from reclaimed materials collected from Auckland streets, the piece reflects a commitment to sustainability while embracing scale and tactility. A unique artwork designed to live confidently on the wall.
Ready to hang.
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Lemons
See Artwork »This large-scale sculptural work reimagines embroidery beyond the wall, transforming it into an immersive, three-dimensional experience. Measuring 1.8m x 1.8m x 1.2m, the piece sits within a refined black metal frame, creating a striking architectural presence that draws viewers in from every angle.
Designed to be experienced in the round, this work invites slow movement and quiet observation. Layers of intricate fibre form a suspended cube of “giant embroidery,” where texture, colour, and negative space shift as you move around it.
A light source positioned at the centre brings the piece to life, casting soft, ever-changing shadows that spill outward across the surrounding surfaces. These shadows become an extension of the artwork itself, adding depth, movement, and a sense of atmosphere that evolves throughout the day.
Crafted from repurposed materials, this piece reflects an ongoing exploration of sustainability, scale, and the intersection between textile practice and spatial design.
[current work in progress]
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Loved
See Artwork »Loved is a large textile artwork that embraces softness, colour, and repetition at an architectural scale. Built through slow, deliberate hand-embroidery, the work balances intimacy with visual strength.
Handmade in Auckland using reclaimed materials, this piece reflects an interest in how textile work can occupy space, absorb sound, and create atmosphere. A significant artwork suited to public, commercial, or expansive private interiors.
Ready to hang.
1420mm (w) x 820mm (h)
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Thoughtful I
See Artwork »This original Flowers in Vase artwork is a personal favourite from the studio and is presented professionally framed, ready to hang. Rich in texture and material detail, the piece balances warmth and structure, inviting close viewing while holding its presence within a space.
Handmade in Aotearoa New Zealand, the work is created using reclaimed materials sourced from Auckland’s streets. The deep navy background is formed from repurposed street banners originally hung to celebrate Matariki, adding a quiet layer of local meaning and context to the piece. Recycled rope and textile elements are carefully assembled through a slow, deliberate making process, resulting in a one-of-a-kind artwork that celebrates colour, renewal, and thoughtful craft.
Measuring 585mm × 740mm, the artwork comes professionally framed and ready to hang.