Karen Walters
‘Charmed’ Pou I
Kahikatea on Steel Base
1950 x 250 mm
$7,900
Available
This piece is part of Walter’s ‘Charmed Pou Series’, and is carved from a rare and ancient Kahikatea tree from Northland of NZ. It is river wood, and after being felled in the early 1900’s and submerged in a river for over 100 years, the minerals in the river water have enhanced and intensified the appearance and strength of the timber.
The artist states: “With its buttery golden quality and varying grain, I wanted to draw attention to the magnificent nature of the timber by creating multiple facets to highlight these varying features while playing with light, shadow, line and reflection. With this in mind, I wanted to merge Pou-like sculptures (which traditionally served to greet visitors, represent ancestors, connect to whenua) with the concept of cut gemstones, having the intention of creating totem like structures that greet you, protect you, connect deeply to whenua (the trees, the rivers, water, minerals…) and highlight the beauty of nature, while reflecting also on the charmed life one leads when having gratitude towards it”. – Karen Walters
Each of the Pou are finished with oil and wax, and selected facets are finished with a high gloss varnish – in order to further enhance the movement of reflection and light around the structure.
Artist Bio
Karen Walters is a contemporary sculptor based in New Zealand, drawing on her Māori and European heritage to inform her practice. Grounded in a profound connection to the whenua (land) her work is imbued with the essence and vitality of the New Zealand landscape, offering nuanced reflections on the human condition.
Utilising both bronze and native timber as her primary mediums, Walters demonstrates a meticulous approach to the detail in her work. Her selection of resilient hardwood such as Swamp Kauri for dimensional manipulation underscores her commitment to creating timeless works, while her investment in lost wax casting yields exquisitely crafted bronze pieces.