Sculptors draw inspiration from nature

Waitati artist Tania Turei sculpts a piece of bluestone (front) while Titahi Bay artist Davey...
Waitati artist Tania Turei sculpts a piece of bluestone (front) while Titahi Bay artist Davey McGhie (background) transforms a log of macrocarpa at Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Photo by Linda Robertson.
The flora and fauna of Orokonui Ecosanctuary have inspired sculptors to create reflections of their work environment from wood and stone.

Four sculptors have been taking part in a sculpture symposium at the ecosanctuary this week, creating works to go on display within the predator-proof fence.

Three were hard at work in an area off the aviary track yesterday, trying to finish their works by Sunday. For Waitati artist Tania Turei, the symposium was a rare opportunity to work on a large scale, sculpting a piece of bluestone into a bowl of feathers.

''Usually I do small things, so this has been a great chance.''

Fellow stone sculptor Rory McDougall, of Hokitika, was transforming two pieces of phonolite basalt left over from the creation of the ecosanctuary's entrance stones by drawing in stone circular images reflecting the reproductive importance of the ecosanctuary.

Davey McGhie, of Titahi Bay, Porirua, who was pictured in the Otago Daily Times earlier this week with a macrocarpa log, was transforming it into an abstract floral work with Celtic, Aotearoa and Pacific-inspired flowers.

The fourth artist taking part was Russell Moses, of Port Chalmers.

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