Pīwakawaka - Ash

Pīwakawaka - Ash | Shannon Turuwhenua

This work balances a bold, modern aesthetic with cultural narrative to celebrate the wairua of the material.

Shannon Turuwhenua explores the relationship between traditional Māori forms and the natural environment through handworked timber.

The Pīwakawaka - Ash is a contemporary wall sculpture featuring a sleek, flared silhouette that evokes the energetic presence of the native fantail.

The ash timber is accented by three rhythmic circular cutouts and a central vertical line at the base.

The head is bound with intricate black hand-lashed cord, a structural detail referencing ancestral navigation and binding techniques.