Massive and magnificent

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 35, 21 February 1984, Page 1

Massive and magnificent

Two magnificent wood sculptures have recently been created in the Waimarino. Local craftsman Alan Brown of Raetihi has worked on both pieces in his spare time since early December. I Utilising totara logs that were obtained from Winstone Afforestation, Alan did most of the work in a hay barn at his parent's farm on Middle Road. \ "That place has strong connections for me because , I spent my childhood on the farm," said Alan. "It's important when creating anything like this that your soul is in tune with both the medium and the environment in which you are working." "Apart from my personal

connection with the family farm the property is located right on the brim of the central plateau. By looking in one direction I could take in the strong masculine features of the Waimarino plain and Mount Ruapehu. Looking the other way I was able to absorb the soft, feminine, aspect of the river valleys out to the west and Mt Egmont." As the pieces took shape Alan was often out on the farm at daybreak and worked them into the dusk. "Seclusion and solitude was great and also important for me to stay in tune with what I was doing," said Alan. A partner with James Clifford in the Raetihi business of Makers, a firm of woodcraftsmen, Alan began» the

sculptures following an invitation to exhibit work at the Te Awamutu Centennial Festival in late February. Part of the festival celebration is an exhibition — 'Maori symbolism ... a contemporary view' — and this is the forum at which the sculptures will be displayed. Both sculptures Nga Huri-huri and Makaka will be on display at the exhibition in Te Awamutu from 25 February. Following the exhibition Nga Hurihuri will come back to Raetihi. Makaka will also come back if it's not sold. Winstone Afforestation who supplied the timber intend to retain one of the sculptures, Nga Huri-huri. "We are absolutely thrilled with the work Alan's done," said company manager Terry Tapp. "The guy is obviously gifted." Nga Huri-huri is a very feminine hanging piece about 3 metres tall — the narne generally means 'many turnings' and for Alan also signifies the many aspects of the mind, subconsciousness and perpetuity — the changing of the ages. Makaka is a powerful masculine sculpture standing about 4 metres tall and originally from a log some 600mm deep by 300mm wide. Makaka signifies the curve of life or creation. There is a great vitality in Makaka. On the chest of the sculpture is a panel featuring Whakapapa — representing our connectedness in genealogy.