Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand, I was always inspired by the surrounding coastal landscape. After many years working in the marketing and events industry in London, I felt an overwhelming desire to live again, close to the sea. On reflection, this is where I feel the most grounded and connected to my homeland.

Subsequently, inspiration for my sculptural work has been centred around my dual experience of and the importance of connection to place, landmarks from my childhood, objects holding memory, and the landscapes that surround me now - where much of my material is sourced.

For me, wood holds a primitive familiarity, a warmth. It’s reassuring that every piece I work with already has its own life and narrative; we have an immediate dialogue. I believe we are collaborators.

Using research findings, along with traditional and contemporary tools and processes, I aim to communicate through material, form, texture and finish.

Of primary focus within my making process is hand carving. Using hand tools enables a greater connection to my material, it is a tactile and intuitive process where you engage in a physical conversation with the wood. You need to listen with your body to understand how the tool interacts with the material. When your movements and interactions become instinctive, it becomes a wonderfully meditative process which I find incredibly therapeutic.