He settled in Central Otago a year ago and when a member left the collective of artists at Hullabaloo Art Space in Cromwell, he applied. It was not his paintings which led to him being selected but rather the native birds he had carved more than a decade ago.
Two months later he had carved another 12 native birds, enough to hold his own exhibition. Rara Avis - a rare or unique person or thing - is being exhibited at Hullabaloo.
‘‘I feel quite privileged to be part of the group, because they have such a high standard,'' Anthony said.
The Canterbury Museum, where he worked for about five years, had an extensive collection of birds which he observed in detail.
That detail is now accurately replicated in his work - each beak, claw and feather precisely crafted.
‘‘I tell people the difference between a stuffed bird and a live bird is a marked difference.''
A taxidermist would have trouble reproducing a bird to its actual size because of shrinkage when it dies and often the eyes have been reproduced overseas in another colour to the original.
‘‘There's so much research and everything. I just take my time to get everything right.''
Using measurements and photographs, he attempts to make each bird to scale.
‘‘There's still interpretation. I'm not saying mine are perfect, but they will be one day.''
The birds are carved from a block of native wood - usually rimu or totara - and sterling silver is used for the feet and ‘‘whiskers'' which are then tarnished black.
‘‘I have some broadleaf but I haven't carved anything out of that yet - they're just old posts I've found or ones people have donated to me. The largest one I'm doing at the moment is a kingfisher, from rimu.''
Central Otago was an ideal place to live and pursue his creativity, he said.
‘‘I was astounded at the rock formations here and the barrenness. The isolation really amazed me.
‘‘It's just perfect, it's me. I'm quite happy here.
‘‘I've been up to Fraser Dam and been dive-bombed by falcons and things.''
His carvings allow people to come close to birds they would otherwise not see. - Rara Avis, an exhibition by Luke Anthony of native bird carvings, can be seen at Hullabaloo art space from March 4 to 16.
