Sculptor Anna Korver has her dad, Geoff, to thank for her carving skills. From the age of 4, she remembers playing with his chisel alongside him as he carved in the family's garage. ''I remember drawing up plans and trying to make something with dad, but ending up cutting myself,
instead,'' she says. Now 26, Anna is one of 26 local artists who have produced outdoor sculptures for the Wood Sculpture Live 2007 show at the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna. The biennial event uses wood from trees felled during roadworks and other construction that's been stockpiled to dry in the garden of the arts centre on Barry's Point Reserve. The youngest participant, Anna says wood is her preferred medium, but she also enjoys working with stone, metal and mixed media. The University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts graduate says although her childhood dream was to be a veterinarian, she knew it was only a matter of time before art would take over her life. Her sculptures explore the place and role of women in society and she has exhibited them nationally and overseas. For the Wood Sculpture Live show, Anna has created an abstract human figure, shown below, which she's named Human Harvest. ''Expressing this theme through natural materials allows a literal interaction with humankind and the environment.'' As a woman sculptor she says she is often asked, '' how I got to the hardware store without my husband''. ''It tends to fire me up a bit but the patronising, condescending remarks stop once I set my stall out.'' Although it's been frustrating and tough at times, she's in it for the long haul. ''It's a lot of hard work and determination. Really wanting it deep down in your heart of hearts makes it all worthwhile in the end.''
Wood Sculpture Live 2007, Lake House Arts Centre, 37 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna until May 13. Details see www.lakehousearts.org.nz.
By Sharu Delilkan
