Sinfi has been a stalwart member of Hibiscus Coast Artists since joining the group in 2008/9, and despite having poor health in the last few years, she still looks forward to getting husband Don to bring her along to her Monday morning session with our group as often as she’s able, where she can work on one of her wonderful pastel landscapes.
Sinfi was born in Kerikeri to an orchardist family. Her mother, born and raised in China and her father, from Denmark met when their families relocated to Kerikeri. They were both 19 years old, and unable to communicate until they found they could both speak Mandarin. They married and moved to “Onion Road” (Dominion Road) when Sinfi was four years old.
Although her mother had painted when she was in China, she no longer had time for art with four children to care for. So instead she bought an industrial sewing machine and redirected her artistic skills into creating childrenswear for Smith and Caughey.
Sinfi and her older brother spent evenings tacking the smocking on romper suits. Her older brother became a draughtsman, and also became designer and cutter for his mother, and together they started a clothing factory.
Sinfi studied art at school, but chose to pursue nursing when she left, taking her skills overseas to London after she qualified.
While living over there she took the opportunity to travel Europe in an old bomb with two friends, where they experienced many adventures. And when it was time to come home, a large group of returning Kiwis chartered a plane only to find out when it took off that it was not pressurised, and once in the clouds it leaked!
The passengers travelled with their coats and luggage held over their heads in an effort to stay dry. When they arrived in New Guinea the pilot said that a Qantas plane would be along shortly to pick them up, before he disappeared, not to be seen again. He apparently did not have landing rights in Australia.
A Qantas flight did arrive several hours later but it was full. Eventually seven of the stranded passengers were allowed on board but it was to cost them another fare. Sinfi had no money to pay the fare, but in true Kiwi fashion the other stranded passengers noting that she was unwell, collected enough to pay for her to get home.
When back in New Zealand, Sinfi met Don, and they married in 1968 in Mt Albert. They later moved to Kawerau where she became a nurse at the Bird’s Eye factory.
When her children reached school age and went to a local school, Sinfi resumed her love of art and started painting in watercolours. She joined an active art group in Mt Albert called “Group 9”, due to the fact that there were nine members. They had many exhibitions at the Alberton Homestead and she went on to develop artistically, painting in oils and now in oil pastels.