Led by resident whakairo artist Natanahira Pona, watch talented sculptors
working live over 10 days transforming massive chunks of raw
Macrocarpa, Cedar, Pohutukawa, Norfolk Pine, Silky Oak and Totara into magnificent artworks. Daily in the grounds of Lake House from 9am to 5pm.
Official kick-off for sculpting will be 9am, Monday November 2nd until the 13th. Public viewing available from Tuesday 3rd November.
The Wood Sculpture Symposium encourages both emerging and established
artists to step out of their comfort zones, to create a work ‘on the fly’; on site within Lake House grounds and within a strict time period. The 2020 event includes public programming with artist talks, demonstrations and interactive activities for kids. The live sculpting part of the event which is completely free and open to the public, will run from the 12th of November, then the creations will be placed in situ around the Lake House Arts Grounds for exhibition throughout summer.
Participating Artists:
Andy Turner (Andy Wilson)
Anthony Turner has studied under the tutorship of the countries top Maori carvers. Beyond carving, he has also developed a background in television production and has worked in below and above the line advertising marketing communications agencies.
Anthony also has a strong passion for working with at risk youth, and has pioneered a youth development programme Mana Rangatahi and works closely with Police, CYF, Ministry of Education, Iwi, and local schools.
He is a founding member of Nga Aho – Maori Design Professionals, and a board member for Te Hotu Manawa Maori and Awataha Marae.
Peter Millman
Peter Millman has a degree in fine art from Elam. He lives in the rain forest in Waitakere, Titirangi the ‘fringe of heaven’. He has won various international awards and has works in 16 countries. Career highlights include the ‘Giantwins’ of 2004, which was the first artwork from NZ to sell for more than $NZ1M.
Trisha Fisk
Trish Fisk is a painter and sculptor, now based in Whangarei Heads after 30 years farming sheep and cattle in the Hokianga. During that time she studied painting and sculpture by correspondance with the Learning Connexion. It meant juggling farm work with small children and art assignments.
But now her work sells in Auckland and Northland and to overseas buyers. Also a trained journalist, Trisha still writes freelance, mixing writing with painting and sculpture.
"I believe art should be uplifting to look at. If you are going to live with something on your wall it needs to brighten your day either with its colours, or subject. Art needs to make a statement that warms your soul. It shouldn’t need words to explain or justify it."
Speaking of her developing sculpture practice, she has taken part in several symposiums around the country.
“I love being able to combine the practical skills I learned on the farm with my more creative side. Being comfortable wielding a chainsaw or arc welder or axe is like the reward for those years of hard physical work. Now I can use them for artistic ends.”
Brian Wright
Brian Wright is a Master Wood and Bone craftsman, and creator of Wild Image Studios based in Gisborne. He achieved his Open Water Dive Instructors certificate, in addition to specialties including Photography, night navigation, wreck and deep water diving.
Nici Palmer
Nici Palmer is a mixed media artist from Taranaki, she works predominantly in hard stone, Pounamu jade, Andesite, Basalt, Granite and N.Z. Marble.
She has a diploma in Art and Design/Pattern making from WITT Taranaki.
She has previously exhibited in boutique galleries, sculpture
parks and homeshow exhibitions in New Zealand. She has been sculpting and exhibiting in symposiums around New Zealand since 2001.
Lyall Tupe
Lyall Tupe is an artist based in Waitara.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009811321766
Paul Olson
Paul Olson is an artist who works across sculpture, jewellery, painting and poetry. He has participated in sculpture symposiums around the country, including the recent Whangarei Sculpture Symposium, held at Hihiaua Cultural Centre.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010721953095
Tai Meuli
Since taking up carving at 24, Meuli has been involved in 60 symposiums and founded The Oro Haaruru sculpting event, which is not only about carving but rather charity and bringing men together to talk - because "everyone has stories".
Stan Young
Stan Young is a sculptor based in Kaitaia. Originally from Ahipara, he also specialises in Tā Moko.
https://www.facebook.com/stan.young.359
Keith Waaka
Keith Waaka is a sculptor from Mourea, and graduated with a Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Maori Art from Te Waananga o Aotearoa in 2006.
https://www.facebook.com/Kieth.Walker111
Davey McGhie
Titahi Bay artist and art educator Davey McGhie has exhibited widely across many of the country's major sculpture symposia. Having completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts at Elam, in recent years McGhie has taught at Whitireia Community Polytechnic as well as various schools and community art groups in Wellington. His interests, ranging from song writing, performance in ska rock bands and work in horticulture all serve to inform his art practice.
McGhie values the notion of there being no right or wrong in contemporary art making. With an intuitive approach to the manipulation of his materials, and a robust sense of humour, his visual language is constantly evolving.
Brett Evans
