Puiaki Originals

Pāua Collection

Rowing Boat

This work was definitely on my list during the planning stages as it is one that brings a great calming feel to the room it is displayed in.

Is this an old or new boat? What adventures has it been on? Has it just been left on the beach with the oars in position ready to be launched? So many questions for such a simple water craft.

When initially designing this piece I did think that the pāua shell should be applied to some part or parts of the boat itself. Surely this is the main part of the work? But, it became clear that when the pāua shell is used to help define the character of the oars, there is a greater story to be told.

The pāua shell oars are the parts that transfer the power of the rower to the motion of the boat. They change its direction and control the future of the journey.

As we muse on the influence of a small oar in our lives, we see that the pāua shell can inspire, drive and channel our passions in our journey of life.

Artwork Specification

Dimensions	500 mm x 500 mm
Production	Solid wooden frames with composite layers that are hand painted with acrylic and oil-based paints. Pieces of thin shell are added as inlay details, and clear epoxy resin used to provide visual emphasis.

5,000