Carvers

My introduction into the field of jade carving did not occur by any of the "natural means". I neither inherited an artistic flair from my father, nor did I accomplish a childhood dream.

Instead, a rather bad truck accident cost me both my legs and put me in the situation of either finding an occupation which did not require legwork, or living off the state for the rest of my days.

The latter did not appeal to me and so when the ads column in the local paper invited interviews for potential jade carvers, I, with absolutely no knowledge of carving at all but with absolutely nothing to lose, applied. The job became mine.

I am of Maori descent and have spent most of my life in close proximity to the Maori lifestyle and art forms. Hence my carvings, though not of a traditional nature, are based on the gentle, sweeping curves of ancient Maori art. This puts me in the very satisfying position of being able to produce work pleasing to the eye of both those who prefer to cling to tradition and those who appreciate contemporary styles.