What interests me about sculptural art is the many ways in which it can be presented and viewed. Even a three-dimensional work that is mounted on a wall can change dramatically when viewed from different angles.

I am fascinated by the shadows cast on walls, ceilings or floors which can vary from very soft to theatrical depending on the light source, adding a fourth dimension to the work.

After seeing bamboo sculptures in 2021, I began experimenting with dried, cylindrical harakeke, intrigued by their fragile yet robust appearance and geometric nature.

Muka is the soft silky white fibre of the harakeke leaf. The fibres are traditionally extracted by using a shell and miro (twisting) on the leg. I have been working increasingly with muka over the past two years, exploring its sculptural potential using a variety of basketry techniques.

Whilst respecting traditional mātauranga/knowledge and following tikanga when working with harakeke I seek to create work that tells my own story of living on and with this whenua.