I have long wanted to create a sculpture using oars. Growing up around dinghies and assorted watercraft, I have always found them fascinating. As the concept grew I started thinking of oars and their place in history. How they enabled oceans to be traversed and migration to flow around the world. “In Awe” translates my wonder at the circumstances and desires that precipitated our ancestors to pick up their oars and make those journeys.The undulating arrangement of the oars symbolises the waves of the ocean and the people navigating those waves. Oars can be used as a form of guidance and propulsion.
This sculpture is a celebration of community and its response to nature. The five upright posts representing people bringing their unique qualities and standing together. The recycled hardwood refers to the bridges and links that have been and still are vital to the existence of Waiau. The stainless steel inserts reflect the braided rivers of the region and their constantly changing patterns. This sculpture is a symbol of humanities never ending dance with its environment.
We can sometimes be like tightly coiled springs, caught up in trying to control how our world looks. When we dare to let go, even a little, we open ourselves to thinking and acting in new ways. We maybe vulnerable but we are also able to shine and expand.
I am fascinated by the patterns that water makes as it fans out across the plains. The mountains from which the water flows are signified by the overall shape of the sculptures. The grouping of sculptures also signifies the presence of humans, guardians perhaps of this life giving resource.Where there is water there is life.
I am fascinated by the patterns that water makes as it fans out across the plains. The mountains from which the water flows are signified by the overall shape of the sculptures. The grouping of sculptures also signifies the presence of humans, guardians perhaps of this life giving resource.Where there is water there is life.
My Mother in law and I often marvel at the intricacies found in nature. The unfolding patterns and details are worth stopping for. Some designs and formations serve as pure function and strength, others to attract and others are about survival. Whatever combination of purpose they have, they all possess a beauty. This bomb reminds us to notice nature and the miracles it holds. A small explosion for the senses.
The issue of refugees can be overwhelming for some. The scale and intensity of the challenges they face can cause us to put these people into a box and often that is the “too hard box” In approaching this artistic provocation of the picture frame I sought to break down the box (frame) and to transform it into human form. These individuals with their hopes, desires and loves are left exposed and vulnerable on the oar. The oar represents a life raft or bridge to new opportunities and new ways to live. The oar is also used for guiding and propelling a vessel and it requires people to work in unison to gain momentum. This metaphor can be used as we welcome refugees to this country and help them transition to a new life.
The Sphere is Unity. The triangle shapes form mountain ranges. Pure awe and wonder in these spaces. A raw energy that draws people from around the globe. A celebration of our connections and oneness.
We are blessed with an abundance of water in this country. Nowhere is more than 130km from the sea and we have thousands of kilometres of rivers ,lakeshores and twisting coastline. This sculpture is inspired by water and the beautiful sinuous shapes it creates in our environment. For me the rivers, lakeshores and twisting coastlines are an ever evolving art form. This work stands as a reminder to us to care for this precious resource.
I have long wanted to create a sculpture using oars. Growing up around dinghies and assorted watercraft, I have always found them fascinating. As the concept grew I started thinking of oars and their place in history. How they enabled oceans to be traversed and migration to flow around the world. “In Awe” translates my wonder at the circumstances and desires that precipitated our ancestors to pick up their oars and make those journeys.The undulating arrangement of the oars symbolises the waves of the ocean and the people navigating those waves. Oars can be used as a form of guidance and propulsion.
The shape of this sculpture and the name “Bite The Bullet” are testament to the resilience and resourcefulness often needed to be a farmer in New Zealand. Fluctuating prices, distance from markets and of course the weather has helped shape farmers and indeed to some extent our national psyche. The pattern running up the sculpture has been inspired by the cogs found on farm machinery and represents the ingenuity required to design and build these labour saving devices. Also a cog on its own has little use, it is through its coordination or teamwork with other cogs and power sources that it achieves meaning. Growing up on a mixed cropping farm in Marlborough at times I was called on to drive the harvester and work on the spud digger and seed drill. When those machines were going well there was harmony.
Looking out over the sea from Narrow Neck I am fascinated by the protection barriers that were once placed in the shipping channels to the Waitemata Harbour. Indicator loops and anti submarine nets were slung across the Rangitoto and Motohui channels during wartime. The steel nets were held up by many round steel floats, and weighted to the bottom by massive anchors. It was a big undertaking that we as a nation deemed was necessary at the time. As human beings we all make choices consciously and unconsciously on what we allow into our lives and what we protect ourselves from. The barriers we put in place can come at a high price and the factors that drive these decisions go to the very heart of our humanity and shape the lives we live.
My Mother in law and I often marvel at the intricacies found in nature. The unfolding patterns and details are worth stopping for. Some designs and formations serve as pure function and strength, others to attract and others are about survival. Whatever combination of purpose they have, they all possess a beauty. This bomb reminds us to notice nature and the miracles it holds. A small explosion for the senses.
The regenerating rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges is the inspiration for this series of sculpture "Bush Tales".Each design tells a tale and represents different elements of the bush…Water, birds , cones and seeds, leaf patterns and finally the trees themselves. For me each element tells its own story but it is when they are brought together that a sense of wonder and peace is created. The ability of these ecosystems to bounce back from human intervention is heartening and humbling.
Humanities interconnectedness has always fascinated me. Many twists and turns shape our unique selves, but what is often forgotten is our connection to the whole. I see perfectly intertwined threads connecting us all.
The starting point for this sculpture was the Sea Anemone. A creature of many guises and deceptive simplicity. Its movement and beauty are fascinating mesmerising and enchanting. By placing it in a land setting I wanted to highlight the fragility of these creatures. How our actions both conscious and unconscious impact the future of this beauty.
Looking from our deck perched amongst the bush of the Waitakeres I found myself transfixed by the downward spiral of the seeds being shed from the Kauri tree. This spinning flight seemed a marvellous natural adaptation to facilitate new life. These tiny highly evolved seeds became the basis of this installation. Finding beauty in the minutiae .
A cluster of chorusters greet visitors at the entrance of a private home.
The Gathering of these tall lean figures creates a community. Although each member is unique and stands alone, they have a common thread that binds them together. I have enjoyed the coarse texture concrete provides drawing inspiration from Wellingtons south coast shoreline. Nearby lighthouses, beacons and pinnacles prompt such upright expressions.
These concrete symbols are indicative of my prevailing thoughts. The fleeting moments communicate the need to let go of the old and make way for the new.
Paua Flames is part of The Glowing Glory Exhibition 2004.
The Gathering of these tall lean figures creates a community. Although each member is unique and stands alone, they have a common thread that binds them together. I have enjoyed the coarse texture concrete provides drawing inspiration from Wellingtons south coast shoreline. Nearby lighthouses, beacons and pinnacles prompt such upright expressions.
Two salutes are part of 9 figures that grace the gardens of Government House Wellington. The Gathering of these tall lean figures creates a community. Although each member is unique and stands alone, they have a common thread that binds them together. I have enjoyed the coarse texture concrete provides drawing inspiration from Wellingtons south coast shoreline. Nearby lighthouses, beacons and pinnacles prompt such upright expressions.
The rings of this piece symbolise the cycle of life. I wanted to give a sense of movement, reflecting the open and undulating nature of this landscape. The grapevine prunings layered together amongst this secure structure represents growth and vitality. The space created within the rings represents the grape. The Juice of Life.
Searching the beach for shells on our Island Bay coastline, I have been fascinated by these intricate pieces of nature. Shells that have lost their outer layer, outer protection reveal their inner foundation, stunning patterns and designs are exposed. Sea Curls and Sea Scrolls have evolved from this fascination. Stainless steel captures the strength and fragility. The silver light so often reflected on the sea can also be captured in stainless steel. What has surprised me is the repetition that nature brings forth.
When a ball has just been hit, there is a sense of wonder, mystery and hope as to where its going to stop. Although there may be a game plan, calculations made and practise prior to this point, once released all that groundwork is handed over to trust. This sculpture stands on its edge and like life there is no certainty as to which way it will roll or shimmy.
The regenerating rain forest of the Waitakere Ranges is the inspiration for this series of sculpture "Bush Lines". Each design comes from intricate patterns found within the bush… Bark , cones , leaf formations and finally the trees themselves. Within the grand setting of bush, finding these miraculous details leaves me with a sense of wonder.
This series was inspired by some stunning outfits that people I admired wore. Among these people were my mother and two grandmothers. The sculptures feature a sample of vintage bathing suits and caps, gowns and casual wear. Outfits that tickled my fancy and outfits that I could see gracing the catwalk. I have inherited some of these garments and wear them with pride to this day.
For me in moments of inspiration there is often a spark. This spark is like a guiding light. Helping me to nurture an idea into physical form and letting me know if I am on the right track. My experience when working this way is a mix of excitement and peace. Similarly, a spark has this juxtaposition being both ephemeral and extremely powerful. This piece is ethereal, made from Aluminium rod for lightness and is suspended by wire cable , similar to a dandelion seed head floating through the air.
This shape has long been in my mind to explore. It can be many things, but the tall Lombardy Poplars of the south island gave me the first inspiration. Since the initial concept I have experienced the loss of a close family member and the tear shaped design came into being. The grief that accompanied that loss has often led to a heavy shower of tears and this is represented in the dense nature of the sculpture. Close up there is roughness and raw edges.
Although I have goals, instructions and destinations, sometimes i just prefer to float and see where I end up. Reflections often surprise me. Why not feather your oars for awhile and catch your breath.
Although I have goals, instructions and destinations, sometimes i just prefer to float and see where I end up. This space is often insightful, filled with intrigue and inspiration. Why not be effortless, adrift on the tide.
This sculpture has been created in remembrance of my mother and is an expression of my grief at her passing. The design is a shield and represents as safeguard. It enabled me to keep afloat in turbulent waters and to adjust. the shape is a symbol of our relationship and the colour is of the sky brought to earth. While it came from grief this sculpture has a vibrancy and light that for me embraces life and new beginnings.
On my visits to Canterbury especially via plane, I am fascinated by the miraculous patterns that water creates upon the plains. From the great milky rivers that carve their way to the sea to the sparkling lowland streams, lakes and estuaries. Walking along these waterways I am always struck by the myriad of life that is nourished by them. Birds, Fish, Plants and insects interweaving, creating intricate patterns in their relationships together. A quiet approach is required to fully appreciate this environment.
The regenerating rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges is the inspiration for this series of sculpture "Bush Tales".Each design tells a tale and represents different elements of the bush…Water, birds , cones and seeds, leaf patterns and finally the trees themselves. For me each element tells its own story but it is when they are brought together that a sense of wonder and peace is created. The ability of these ecosystems to bounce back from human intervention is heartening and humbling.
Searching the beach for shells has been a delight for me as long as I can remember, starting as a child in Sunshine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds and now continuing with our three children near our Auckland home. This interaction between humans and the coastline is timeless. It is a place of freedom, fun and somewhere that the spirit can soar. This has been the inspiration for the Sea Figures series. I have chosen stainless steel as it captures the silver light often reflected on the sea.
Searching the beach for shells on our Island Bay coastline, I have been fascinated by these intricate pieces of nature. Shells that have lost their outer layer, outer protection reveal their inner foundation, stunning patterns and designs are exposed. Sea Curls and Sea Scrolls have evolved from this fascination. Stainless steel captures the strength and fragility. The silver light so often reflected on the sea can also be captured in stainless steel. What has surprised me is the repetition that nature brings forth. The patterns from shells that I have sought to express are the basis for so many of natures creations.
I was presented with a range of beautiful and vibrant colours and I thought, what could you do with these? My response was this collection of 19 figures. The colours suggested to me 'Party' and the way the light is absorbed and reflected suggested movement and dance. The type of party where young and old meld together with their eclectic styles. My context for humankind and for me great parties and dancing embody that completely. Which one are you on the dance floor?
When looking at a mountain range from afar there is distance and safety and a wonder of what secrets those mountains hold. It can often take courage to visit these extreme places. But once there the intensity of life is magnified. Emotions such as exhilaration or devastation, peace or despair can be experienced in a moment. These and any of our emotions can be felt with a sharpness and clarity that our every day lives often blur. This experience of being on the outer limits is what has inspired this work.
The inspiration for this work was pine cones. A repository of new life and new beginnings. The cone is made up of numerous seeds linked together in a spectacular formation. Pine cones are perfect and whole, yet they are made up of individual seeds arranged with irregularities. The circular nature of the piece represents the world, unity and bringing people together. Rebbecca views The Orb as a display that reminds her of the beauty in the world that connects us all. The basis for her work is love and connection for humankind.
The starting point for this sculpture was the Sea Anemone. A creature of many guises and deceptive simplicity. Its movement and beauty are fascinating mesmerising and enchanting. By placing it in a land setting I wanted to highlight the fragility of these creatures. How our actions both conscious and unconscious impact the future of this beauty.
The inspiration for this work was pine cones. A repository of new life and new beginnings. The cone is made up of numerous seeds linked together in a spectacular formation. Pine cones are perfect and whole, yet they are made up of individual seeds arranged with irregularities. The circular nature of the piece represents the world, unity and bringing people together. Rebecca views The Orb as a display that reminds her of the beauty in the world that connects us all. The basis for her work is love and connection for humankind.
I have been fascinated by the diverse texture concrete provides, simultaneously appearing strong and ethereal. The Searchers looks to the ether for guidance on their journeys.
The central theme of Glowing Glory is the candle, which can signify the existence, or the passing of life. Glowing Glory is big work. Large posts are topped with hand carved concrete flames. Among these candles are nine carved concrete figures. I call these my match -head figures as they are similar and they are matches that serve to ignite the great flames.
Searching the beach for shells has been a delight for me as long as I can remember, starting as a child in Sunshine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds and now continuing with our three children near our Auckland home. This interaction between humans and the coastline is timeless. It is a place of freedom, fun and somewhere that the spirit can soar. This has been the inspiration for the Sea Figures series. I have chosen stainless steel as it captures the silver light often reflected on the sea.
The simple delight of a rainbow and its spectrum of colours often catches my attention. It is a moment of beauty which I aim to capture in my sculpture. I am keen to celebrate this unique environment and the beauty it holds. It is full of surprises and charm. Paying attention to this beauty heightens my senses.
Searching the beach for shells has been a delight for me as long as I can remember, starting as a child in Sunshine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds and now continuing with our three children near our Auckland home. This interaction between humans and the coastline is timeless. It is a place of freedom, fun and somewhere that the spirit can soar. This has been the inspiration for the Sea Figures series. I have chosen stainless steel as it captures the silver light often reflected on the sea.
Tall skinnies began the concrete figure series including the Gathering, the Searchers, One goes another comes.