Visitors to the Art House Summer Exhibition are invited to discover – among the array of artwork on show – the calming, coastal-inspired wall hangings of artist Saskia Bekker.

Bekker creates decorative wall hanging rings designed to bring a relaxed beach vibe into homes, baches and coastal spaces.

Each piece is handcrafted using natural materials she gathers herself, including driftwood, shells and, at times, pieces of pumice or sandstone found along the beach.

“I thread the shells, stones and beads onto stainless steel wire, and then I wrap twine around the rings.”

The wall hangings are available in three different sizes: “No two pieces are the same.”

“They can be displayed indoors or outdoors. It’s all about natural tones – something calming that suits a beach house or bach.”

Bekker, a designer by profession, began creating her hanging rings shortly after she immigrated to New Zealand from South Africa just over two years ago with her husband and their now six-year-old son.

The family settled in the Eastern Bay, where the coastal environment quickly became a source of inspiration.

“When we arrived, we didn’t have much artwork for our walls, so I started making something for myself,” she said.

“I would walk along the beach collecting shells and driftwood, and I began to notice which pieces worked best.

“I looked at some art online for inspiration, then created my own versions.”

What began as a personal project soon grew into something more.

“I realised I could take my work to markets,” she said.

Bekker said she was delighted to be invited to take part in the Whakatāne Society of Arts and Crafts exhibition at the Art House. The show runs daily until January 11.

See more of Bekker’s natural hanging rings on Instagram koha_tai_Ohope, which loosely translates to “gift the tide brings”.