"Navigator 4" 2024

Navigator 4 (2024) is a sculptural work by New Zealand artist John Allen — a piece of rare physical coherence, standing at 1850 mm. Every element is drawn from the same source: pōhutukawa roots salvaged from a fallen tree in Northland. 

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 4 gives that idea a particularly beautiful physical expression. The shaft is fluid — its surface catches and moves the light as you pass, the grain alive with warmth and depth. The base is rounded and settled, a calm foundation from which the whole form rises with ease. And at the crown, there is a graceful twist — the signature gesture - an unhurried turn, a crossing of fingers, offered with a smile.

Finished with natural oil and wax. 

Specifications:

• Title: Navigator 4 (2024)
• Artist: John Allen
• Materials: Pōhutukawa roots (Northland)
• Finish: Oil and wax
• Height: 1850 mm | Width: 300 mm | Depth: 220 mm
• Care: Indoor display recommended