The Art of Conversation 4 — Lina Castro

A series of free conversations exploring the work and practices of artists connected to East Auckland, held in their favourite local venue. The Art of Conversation 4 — Lina Castro The third conversation of the series features Lina Castro, a Tāmaki Makaurau-based Colombian artist and industrial designer with a background in education, sales and marketing. She discovered embroidery in 2016 and has since pushed the craft beyond the hoop through new techniques, materials and unexpected surfaces. For Lina, embroidery is more than a craft; it's a safe space where she finds joy and explores her creative being. "Once I started stitching, my obsession has been to create contemporary pieces that bring this craft back to life, showing all the ways you can tell stories and express yourself with needle and thread." Lina loves helping students discover something new about themselves, stitch by stitch. As a member of Sur Collective, she has participated in multiple collaborative exhibitions and projects, connecting with and building relationships with local artists. About The Art of Conversation The Art of Conversation is a series of free events highlighting artists who share connections to East Auckland. Each invited artist will talk about their work and practice in their favourite local café, bar, or restaurant. These informal conversations aim to move away from the traditional format of artist talks while also supporting local businesses. Attendance at the talks is free, but participants are encouraged to purchase a drink and/or something to eat upon arrival to support the chosen venue. Curated by Giulia Pianelli, the fourth iteration of The Art of Conversation will take place over five weekends throughout November 2026 and will feature an exciting line-up of artists: Carla Ruka, Salome Tanuvasa, Lina Castro, Sahana Rahman, and Gary $ilipa. This is a project funded by Arts Out East, supported by Te Tuhi and the Howick Local Board. About Giulia Pianelli Giulia is an art professional and curator committed to supporting socially and politically engaged practices. She sees her work as a way to amplify activist messages and foster cross-cultural exchange through contemporary art. Originally from Italy, Giulia is currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau, where she works as Marketing Lead at The Arts House Trust. She previously held positions at Te Tuhi and at other galleries and organisations across Aotearoa and Europe. She is also developing an independent curatorial practice, with recent projects including Le Vu and Rebekah Sohn: Lines We Carry, Franklin Arts Centre (2026) and noa hāmana: Haerenga, Studio One Toi Tū (2026). Giulia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts Management from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, a Master's degree in Global Marketing from the University of Milan, and a diploma in Australian Aboriginal Art History from Curtin University (Perth). She is incredibly excited to be curating the fourth edition of The Art of Conversation and to present such an amazing line-up of artists. Carla, Salome, Lina, Sahana, and Gary all come from different backgrounds and engage with distinct artistic practices, reflecting the vibrant diversity that makes the East Auckland community so unique.