Artist Profile
John Sheehan
As a young child, John often fell asleep to the sounds of his father saw-cutting in his workshop. So, it was a natural progression for him to become a recruit to his father’s workshop, shortly after he finished his schooling. At just 18 years old he won a major prize in the illustrious Mana Pounamu Contemporary Awards. He then spent the better part of a decade working with and learning from some of New Zealand’s most talented carvers that passed through. Over the years John has developed and honed his craft, but his most important takeaway has been learning about people’s connection to jade.
Inspired by jade’s strength, translucency, colours and tactile nature, John’s approach to jade carving is to push the limits of the stone and seek satisfaction in the design aesthetic.
Letting the stone dictate
John always lets the stone dictate his designs. By closely studying the raw material, he can see what designs are possible. You should never try to force a design upon a stone.
A selection of
John's creations
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Artists
Akapita Scally
As a part of Rotorua’s carving industry for the past decade, Aka has had the privilege of working alongside some of the town’s finest pounamu artists. His designs are notable for their perfect lines and exemplary finishing, and he is particularly skilled at reflecting traditional forms whilst pushing contemporary boundaries. Akapita has ties to Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Rangitihi.
