Pīwakawaka - Burnt Ash

Pīwakawaka - River Rimu | Shannon Turuwhenua

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

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

The ash timber is deeply charred to a rich black finish, 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.

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