The Making of Ao Turoa

This sculpture developed without any real plan. I had a few starting sketches on the block and tried to maintain the flow. Because it literally unfolded in front of me, it really was a mystery and exciting right up until the last minute of Day 10, when I finally pronounced it finished. The block was beatiful to work with, and totally unblemished.

I began with the two central flowing elements, and the sculpture developed from there.

I was reading the Maori story of creation to my son, and the central part of the sculpture reminded me of the wind, so I decided to build the sculpture around the story of Tawhirimatea (the Maori god of wind and storms) and his five brothers: Tane (god of the forests), Tangaroa (god of the sea), Tu (god of man), Rongo and Haumia (gods of cultivated, and uncultivated foods)... and how they separated their parents, Rangi and Papa, and allowed light into the world.

As the sculpture progressed, you could see elements from all parts of nature. I could see water, waves and seashells. I could see the wind. I could see ferns and bush, and edible roots (pikopiko).

The name came to me the night before the last day, and captures the sculpture completely - AO TUROA - It means... nature, the world, and about bringing forth the light of day.

I received wonderful feedback throughout the 10-day Archibalds Stone Carving Symposium, and fabulous support from friends, and family especially my wife (who once again did most of my sanding, occasionally cracked the whip, and generally kept me going for 10 days).