John Collins

John Collins is an artist sculptor whose powerful and original work descends from and continues the pure essence of 'Whakairo' ; Maori wood carving. At his studio on the edge of coastal Southland, unique artworks are created relating to the human culture and natural environment of Aotearoa New Zealand. Encountering these artworks, we sense intuitively another dimension beyond the physical object before us. John Collins' artistic skill enables a connection between the world of the present we stand in, and that of the figure depicted. Gallery Pacific approaches four decades of offering superb carvings from the artist.

Carving process

John Collins ideas and concepts typically evolve over a period of years before a carving is realized. His artwork is always in response to his environment, physical and spiritual.
Rakau (timber) from native tree species is sourced from old buildings, providing ideal material that has aged and is stable. He sees no need to fell living trees for his art.
Initial sketches and scale drawings on paper are developed until the design is directly applied to the timber.
Carving involves 'roughing out' a blank form or shape, before finer sculpting and surface patterns are applied using hand chisels and mallet. John Collins' carvings are finished by staining and inlay of Paua Shell. These final steps bringing his wood sculpture to life.

Shop all