What do you do?

I’m a sculptor and I work in lots of different media, it’s all interesting to me.

What could you imagine doing if you didn’t do what you do?

I think a mechanic, or possibly an apprentice train mechanic who works at MOTAT? Although I am a bit wary of my own steampunk leanings… 

What images are pinned to your studio wall?

I don’t have pictures pinned in my studio. Although in my bedroom, I have a small section of the perforated foil from Reception (Blue Oyster 2025) that hangs on map pins and behaves like a barometer for how draughty it is. I also have part of an Arnott’s cheeseboard box showing the different shapes on the back of my door.

The first artwork that made an impact on you?

I couldn’t find the work after a quick search, as results are flooded with the Eliasson ice cube — which I did help maintain over the summer. It was another melting work from the Auckland Art Gallery’s old Lorne St site. Such a long time ago now, but if memory serves, it played random sounds and was totally absorbing for an outwardly plain thing.

Who is your ideal studio buddy?

Somebody who can hold me accountable for my mess. I’ll be buried otherwise.

What are you listening to?

Kraftwerk – Vitamin 

What are you reading?

We All Hear Stories in the Dark by Robert Shearman, it’s like a Sheherazade-style ‘choose your own short story’ collection in three volumes. Thousands of pages… It’s taking forever.

An artist (living or dead) you would like to meet?

Lulou Margarine. She has a consistently enigmatic practice that I’ve followed for years. There’s something in the tone, the titling, that is relatable to me and very stark. I think of Time of Day (2017), close-up photos of a microwave clock, a house fly sometimes imposing itself.

What did you learn at art school?

Self-belief! I’m still chronically shy, but it was worse.

What’s next?

I have been working toward a solo presentation at Grace that opens July 4th. I’ve been floating my woodturned objects in a garden pond, and making plastic spoons. 

Image credit: Ophelia Harradine Bayly