Our story
Chunky was launched in Queenstown, New Zealand in 2017
when we collaborated with 2 amazing artists to create 4 designs that would bring something different to the market. Back then, we were selling our stainless steel drink bottles out of one Queenstown store. By 2018, we had 12 artists, 30 designs, an online store and 100+ retail stores around New Zealand. Today we have 46 designs by 20 international artists and distribution to retail stores in Australia and New Zealand.
The Chunky team knows how hard it is for emerging artists to get a break. That’s why we don't work with established artists - we only want to work with artists who haven’t yet found the exposure they deserve. We have been approached by established artists looking to work with Chunky, and it’s been flattering. But we have politely turned them down. They don’t need us.
Our team
Mark Moran - Founder, Art Nut
Mark was a contemporary art dealer for over a decade but these days his time
is focused on the development of Chunky. Through Chunky, Mark has found a
way to do the thing he loves most which is to shine a light on new artists. He just
had to swap picture frames for drink bottles along the way. Mark’s two gorgeous
kids provide a happy distraction from work and he is often found playing soccer
with his son or baking a mean sponge cake with his daughter. Ever the high achiever, Mark is currently on a quest to produce the perfect miso soup.
Tanya Stone - Distribution and Customer Service
This dispatch queen goes by the name of T. Her OCD: organising and efficiency, gets orders out the door and to you quicker than you can say Coffee Cup. T juggles many different jobs but no matter how busy she is, she always manages to get your order out the door. You may notice an email here and there at 2am!
She loves all things, health, fitness and outdoor activities. When she isn’t climbing mountains or snowboarding, you will find her binge watching Friends or films.
This dispatch queen goes by the name of T. Her OCD: organising and efficiency, gets orders out the door and to you quicker than you can say Coffee Cup. T juggles many different jobs but no matter how busy she is, she always manages to get your order out the door. You may notice an email here and there at 2am!
She loves all things, health, fitness and outdoor activities. When she isn’t climbing mountains or snowboarding, you will find her binge watching Friends or films.
Sofia Cinque - Sustainability Manager and Content Creator
Sofi joined our team to help us on the mission to reduce our impact on the planet and she's also the one behind our social media channels.
As an environmental scientist, she has skills in waste management but she also understands the hospitality industry as she’s been working in hospo for quite a few years.
She’s the one promoting and leading the Chunky Loan Cup System throughout New Zealand, you will see her around Queenstown talking to staff, baristas and cafe managers about why we should shift from a throwaway culture to a reuse culture.
When not talking about “using your own cup” she will still probably be promoting sustainability or inspiring people and businesses to reduce their waste (follow her on Instagram for more sustainable lifestyle tips! @earthic.life).
Laura Shallcrass - Art Director / Artist Liaison
Master of multi-tasking, Laura is a Chunky artist, Chunky art director, packaging
designer and the main point of contact for the Chunky artists. Despite her big,
busy role with Chunky, Laura’s is an artist and illustrator, sometime graphic
designer and general creative extraordinaire. When she’s not doing a million
things for Chunky, you’ll find her hanging with her family, her horses or
shredding it up on the mountain.