Navigator 1 (2024) is a towering sculptural work by New Zealand artist John Allen — a commanding presence that stands at 2600 mm and anchors any space it inhabits. This is the ambitious piece which inspired the Navigator series.
The Navigator works are symbols of the inner journey: the lifelong passage of coming to know oneself with honesty and courage. They speak to the movement from separation toward individuation — not the construction of a self, but the uncovering of who has always been there. The paradox at the heart of this journey is that to fully arrive at yourself is to discover you were never apart from anything. A quiet oneness. A sense of joy.
Navigator 1 gives that idea physical form. The top element — a separate root piece, set above the main form — denotes direction. Three elements in dialogue: each complete in itself, each part of something larger. The composition is both unipolar vertical, and relational, a totem for the journey.
Finished with natural oil and wax. Place this piece in your space and let it hold that intention.
Specifications:
Title: Navigator 1 (2024)
Artist: John Allen
Materials: Pōhutukawa roots (Auckland region), fruit tree wood base (Porirua)
