2019
Cast bronze
Regal foundry
photos by Andre Van De Ven
Following in My Fathers Footsteps
Male Quail & two Chicks
Originally this was a private commission for my uncle, Stephen Rodgers. It then developed into a limited edition of 12, first exhibited at the 2019-20 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition at the Auckland Botanic Gardens Indoor exhibition.
Made to celebrate the California Quail families living in Cromwell, South Otago, I developed the idea further to include the father and 2 chicks, representing my uncle and his 2 daughters.
When I began sculpting the male quail I was concerned that the birds lack of shape and complex colouration would create a boring sculpture and a difficult patina. As a way of combating this I began adding detail to the birds body. This eventually resulted in the detailed realism of the work and the painted patina.
2014
Cast bronze
Artworks foundry
photos by Andre Van De Ven
Bird on a Limb
Waxeye & Abstracted Flora
Bird on a Limb references elements of Rose Cathedral, in the Rose Garden at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa.
This originated from ‘Short Embrace’, a medal in the 2004 MANZ exhibition. It, in turn, came from another medal, ‘Katybird‘, I did for a 2002 MANZ exhibition in which I explored ideas around anatomical relationships between flora and fauna. This featured a native Tui on a branch on the obverse, and a Katydid cricket on the reverse.
2016
Cast Bronze
Artworks foundry
Gull Post
Folded wax abstracted Sea Gull
Exhibited for NZSoS Womens Refuge Exhibition,Fort Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand
A friend and fellow sculptor, Christine Hellyar, gave me some sheets of wax. I was drawn to the creative potential of this material and started experimenting with it.
I loved the way it could be torn, shaped and folded like paper and then cast into bronze. I left areas open so that the nature of the material was exposed. I also wanted to play with the ideas of negative space. The forms I was making suggested to me that the eye would somehow fill up the gaps and comprehend the whole object. It was difficult to create stable 3D objects with only sheets of wax, and the foundry did well to cast the work without distorting the form. I love the expressive quality of the folds and rough surfaces. My usual art practice involves smooth surfaces, so this was a satisfying departure from my usual, and very rejuvenating!! I loved making these Gulls and feel they represent an important part of my practice.
The Gulls have found the perfect permanent home right on the coast of Massachusetts, USA.
2014
Cast bronze
Artworks foundry
Bird on Kowhai
Waxeye & Kowhai
This wall mounted work combines the native Kowhai with the native Wax Eye.
2012
Cast bronze
Artworks foundry
Flora’s Limbs
Kowhai & Waxeye on abstracted flora
Flora’s Limbs references elements of Rose Cathedral, in the Rose Garden at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa.
This originated from ‘Short Embrace’, a medal in the 2004 MANZ exhibition. It, in turn, came from another medal, ‘Katybird‘, I did for a 2002 MANZ exhibition in which I explored ideas around anatomical relationships between flora and fauna. This featured a native Tui on a branch on the obverse, and a Katydid cricket on the reverse.
2010
Cast bronze
Artworks foundry
Peace Makers
Fantails & leaf forms
This Art Deco inspired work was part of Terry Stringers installation for the 2010-11 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
2016
Cast bronze . volcanic rock
Flux foundry
Bird Call
Black Bird
This work is part of ‘Celebration‘ which was made for the 2016/17 Sculpture in the Gardens Exhibition, Auckland Botanic Gardens.
I made this bird with the idea of making paper cut outs. I cut sheets of wax into shapes and built them into birds. It was a most enjoyable exercise.
All the birds in this work were in the act of singing or calling.
