Photo Synthesis

Gisborne photography duo Runa + Holly collaborate to create mesmerising floral artworks

- Fiona Ralph

What happens when a talented Gisborne florist meets an artistic Icelandic photographer? In the case of Runa Kuru Kristjónsdóttir and Holly Tong, pure magic. The pair’s moody floral photographs, sold as limited-edition artworks, have a growing fan base, a loyal social media following, and have even taken the Gisborne-based pair to Venice where they were finalists in a prestigious art competition. We chatted to the friends about their creative process and their passion for working together.

How did you two meet?

We met in 2002. Runa was 21 and had moved to New Zealand from Iceland with her Kiwi husband. Holly was 16 – we both worked together at a local restaurant and quickly became friends. Fast-forward to 2013 – by then we’d lived in a few different countries but both ended up in Gisborne with three kids each, all of similar ages. We hit it off again like no time had passed.

How did your collaboration come about?