The soft heart in stone

A Huia sculptress discovers abstract themes in the human condition, writes Sharu Delilkan.
Anna Korver has always struggled with the public's perception of what sculptors look like.
"People simply think women shouldn't be sculpting."  The Huia sculptress feels this way because: "I still get asked 'Where's my husband?' when I'm buying tools."
Two years since her last solo show, Korver is pleased to be opening the door on another show, New Sculptures, at the McCarthy Gallery.
The artist primarily uses the feminine form in her sculptures. "I love working with the lines and curves of the female form. I've tried, but can't find, similar lines in the male figure."
A former fencer, Korver says she faced similar male dominance when she competed in the sabre division of the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, she came home without a medal. In frustration she replaced her sabre with sculpting tools in 2003.
The 18 pieces in the exhibition include a few made from granite. "It's a continuation of a couple of themes that involve the human form where I've expressed my inner emotions using colour." Korver says the female form is essentially an extension of herself. "When I first started it was all very realistic but, as time has passed, it's become more abstract. I guess it's still me in a weird, cut-out sort of fashion."
Although she loves working with granite and marble, she says she doesn't limit herself to one medium. "I prefer being able to manoeuvre things myself instead of waiting for my partner's help. I particularly love working with wood, especially since I'm completely obsessed with carving."
New Sculptures, McCarthy Gallery, The Axis Building, corner St Georges Bay and Cleveland Rds, Parnell, July 15-23. Entry free. Contact: ph 379 4448 or see www.mccarthygallery.co.nz