"My Way" 2024

Some forms resist the straight line. My Way (2024) is a free-standing sculptural work by New Zealand artist John Allen that follows its own path — shaped by the natural twist and grain of a pōhutukawa root, and grounded on a piece of New Zealand schist stone that feels as though it has always belonged beneath it.

Salvaged from a fallen tree in the Auckland region, the root is finished with natural oil and wax, its surface warm and resolved. The schist base adds weight and contrast — raw stone meeting worked wood in a quiet conversation about place, material, and the beauty of things that go their own way.

Schist is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive geological materials — formed under immense pressure over millions of years, its layered, glittering surface is as much a part of the landscape as the pōhutukawa itself. Together, the two materials make a composition that is grounded, confident, and entirely its own.

My Way is an original artwork of quiet confidence — one of a kind, and an exceptional gift for someone who appreciates the beauty of things that don’t follow the expected path.

Specifications:

• Title: My Way (2024)
• Artist: John Allen
• Materials: Pōhutukawa root (Auckland region), schist stone base
• Finish: Oil and wax
• Dimensions: 290 × 230 × 210 mm
• Care: Indoor display recommended