George Tamihana Nuku is one of New Zealand’s leading contemporary artists. As such, he is intensely aware of his responsibilities to his own Maori culture. Both to its spirit and meanings, as much to its craft traditions. His materials are stone, bone, wood and shell, but primarily he works with plexiglass. Using these materials to not only make large scale sculptural installations, but wearable jewellery. Crafting jewellery has been a part of his practice for over 30 years.

As a Maori, Nuku traces his descent ultimately back to the original ancestors of his homeland. The inter-relationships between past and the future, new and ancient artworks truly matter. It is this sensitivity to heritage, honouring collective ancestry that has consistently drawn him to work in museums all over the world. Re-engaging with Maori treasures which are housed in their collections.

In line with his Maori culture, Nuku has inherited a belief in the power of the spirits of nature. Nuku’s work confronts the viewer with a new realisation of plastic, challenging them to perceive it anew in relation to the environment.

“Through my Maori heritage, I try to reshape our relationship with the environment. For me plastic embodies both light and water: the source of life itself.”

Nuku encourages us to see this plastic pollution as something to be transformed and in the process, encourages us to regard it as something valuable.

Out of the Depths, New Works

Alongside Nuku’s sculpture Seahenge Axis Mundi on show in our exhibition, Out of the Depths: New works, Nuku presents a collection of his jewellery. This collection of jewellery features hand carved pendant necklaces of Paua, Halitosis and blue abalone shell and pearlshell. As well as a range of carved transparent blue, clear and red plexiglass pendant necklaces, inlaid with abalone shell.

Each necklace is highly detailed and unique, carved into the natural colours and textures of the original abalone shell. This shell has an iridescent quality, changing colour in different lights.