"The Uniting of Separation and Unity 7"

The Uniting of Separation and Unity 7 is a one-of-a-kind sculptural work by New Zealand artist John Allen, and part of the Unity series — a body of work rooted in a single, profound idea. Handcrafted from pōhutukawa root salvaged from a fallen tree in Auckland, this vertical work reveals the inherent symmetry and tension within the tree’s natural structure. The upward reach and branching gesture suggest both growth and balance, allowing the wood’s own logic to define the composition.

The title speaks directly to the philosophy that runs through the entire series. Unity, as John Allen understands it, is not something imposed from outside. It is something arrived at from within — through the willingness to open oneself, to do the inner work, to release what no longer serves, to accept what is. It is in that process of self-exposure and self-knowing, of individuation, that the paradoxical deeper realisation emerges: that we are not separate at all. That beneath the surface of individual experience, we are in unity with everyone and everything.

Finished with natural oil and wax, the surface retains a raw tactility while subtly enhancing the grain and tonal depth developed through time and exposure. Tool marks are minimal, preserving the integrity of the original form and its relationship to place.

A quiet, vertical work that reads as both sculptural object and natural trace — anchored in material honesty, the enduring presence of pōhutukawa in the landscape, and the inner journey toward wholeness.

Specifications:

• Title: The Uniting of Separation and Unity 7
• Artist: John Allen
• Materials: Pōhutukawa root (Auckland)
• Finish: Oil and wax
• Dimensions: 770 × 320 mm
• Care: Indoor display recommended