Native Tongue 2011
A monumental geometric solid I is shaped out of a single slab from the heartwood of a giant ancient kauri. The rare and unique timber, recovered from a prehistoric forest, is radio carbon-dated at over 45,000 years old - predating the last Ice Age, the migration of Neanderthal man, early cave painting in Europe, the development of language, and human occupation of Aotearoa. Carefully excavated from the depths of a Northland NZ peat swamp, the alpha native articulates a one word/one number text message. Ancient and yet new, Native Tongue begins again to silver with age.
Exhibition: Sculpture in the Gardens, Auckland Botanic Gardens 2011
Telecom Head Office - Telecom Place, Auckland 2012
Series: Icons