"Waka Paddle 6" 2023

The waka paddle is one of the most elemental forms in Aotearoa — a tool of navigation, of connection, of crossing water. Waka Paddle 6 (2023) by New Zealand artist John Allen honours that form in rare material: shaped from puriri driftwood, one of New Zealand’s most ancient and sought-after native timbers, finished in oil and wax, and fitted with an integrated LED light that casts a warm glow across the wall.

Puriri driftwood is genuinely rare. Puriri is among the hardest and most durable of New Zealand’s native trees — slow-growing, dense, and deeply grained — and to find it as driftwood, shaped further by sea and time before arriving in the studio, is exceptional. The timber carries that history in its surface: the grain is rich and complex, the colour deep, the weight of it unmistakable. At 1000mm, the paddle holds the wall with quiet authority.

Waka Paddle 6 is a unique ambient wall sculpture that draws on the deep cultural heritage of Aotearoa and the extraordinary material history of puriri. It is both object and atmosphere — by day a sculptural work of rare beauty, by night a source of warm, directional light. An exceptional piece for a home, a gallery, or as a gift of real distinction.

Available for viewing at Turua Gallery, St Heliers, Auckland.

Specifications:

• Title: Waka Paddle 6 (2023)
• Artist: John Allen
• Materials: Puriri driftwood, integrated LED light
• Finish: Oil and wax
• Length: 1000 mm
• Lighting: Plug-in LED
• Care: Indoor display recommended