It's my first time exhibiting at the Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden which has been a delight.
As a New Zealander I am naturally connected to our land. I love the idea conveyed in Māori pūrākau that humans, birds and trees talk to each other. Through this sculpture I aim to explore the importance of inner peace through elemental connections that engage with our communities in Te Waipounamu / South Island.
In modern life it is rather easy to fall into the demands of urban living, burying our heads into our iPhones and plethora of screens. While the digital age has many benefits in many areas including the art world I always feel immediately better if I take a walk outside through the trees or on the beach.
“Nurturing people to nature's inherent instructions was natural for our ancestors” writes Hinemoa Elder, in her book Aroha. The foundation of healing practices combines the natural elements in Native American, Chinese, Vedic, and Tibetan cultures. Sometimes these theories overlapped with mythology and were personified in deities. Individual philosophers as well as these different cultures had broadly varying explanations regarding their attributes and how they related to cosmology as well as noticeable phenomena.
I am an artist of Māori (Ngāti Raukawa), Dutch, English and Irish descent. I enjoy absorbing the culture around me and working through emotions while creating a personal visual language.
After travelling through Nepal pre-pandemic I began practising yoga on a regular basis and I loved how I felt. I met a highly skilled teacher on my return to Aotearoa and began to incorporate a short morning meditation and found the space between thoughts when the mind is quiet is a fascinating feeling to try and put to paper. I grew as an observer both inward and outward, letting the experience change the way I drew.
The sculpture and line drawings below are fun, fictional supernatural, deities/atua- like characters representing fire, earth, air, and water. Neil Dawson’s first public sculpture; Echo adopted line drawing in a sculptural capacity. Influenced by this, these “sky drawings” combine the interplay of nature, the environment and technology.
'Earth' is the first of four prototype sculptures made out of the highest grade stainless steel, 316. Ed of 4. This material is resistant to corrosion and weathering, ensuring longevity and minimal environmental impact. I have chosen a beautiful piece of local bluestone as a plinth.
The fifth element is you, the viewer, known as heart, wairua, other or space. Unlocking the experience as an individual whilst at the same time being part of the collective consciousness/body.
By showcasing the beauty of sustainable materials and promoting eco-friendly practices, these sculptures inspire viewers to reconsider their relationship with the environment and take action towards a greener future.
I would like to express gratitude and acknowledge the highly skilled people involved in the fabrication, please check the previous post; thank you!
I hope you enjoy 'Earth' at the Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden.
Open next weekend 8/9 and 15/16 of March and also by appointment.
Curated by the superb Melissa Reimer this exhibition showcases artwork by 45+ artists. 100 new works are for sale. The opportunity to experience the stunning permanent collection and walk around the ever changing native garden is nothing short of spectacular. Well done, Peter and Annabel for creating this environment and sharing it with the public.
Head to the website to check out the 2025 catalog.
Entry is $20 per person. 16 years & under are free.
Questions? Call Melissa (curator) 021 24 22 462 or Annabel Menzies-Joyce (co-founder and property owner) 027 325 2000.
1/199 Cossars Road, RD 2, Christchurch 7672, New Zealand
Hope to see you there!
