ANTON FORDE
Artist: Anton Forde
Year: 2025
Location: Waitematā Plaza
Size: 5 available works, all different sizes. Please refer to the below.
Material: Kōhatu/stone and Pounamu
Ngā Arawai/The Waterways by Anton Forde presents works in kōhatu/stone, Pounamu, andesite and basalt, carved with markings of Wai/ water and arawai/ waterways that are vital to humanity’s survival and wellbeing. This work recognises the importance of ancient wisdom and knowledge that is sometimes forgotten. Mātauranga Māori is key in acknowledging the importance of treating wai with great reverence, as well as ngā taha wairua/ the spiritual aspect of water. Ngā Arawai/ The Waterways is inspired by the sacredness and living properties of wai/ water. The exhibition also aims to reconnect people with how important water is for humanity.
Anton Forde began carving when he was 18 and has studied under sculptors Paul Dibble, Gary Whiting and Paul Hansen. Under the supervision of Professor Robert Jahnke at Massey University’s Māori Visual Arts Programme Toioho ki Āpiti, he gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts and a Masters of Māori Visual Arts with First Class Honours. Forde has since spent extended periods living in Taranaki and in Ireland, where he learnt ancient art themes. He now lives on Waiheke Island. Forde’s works feature in public and private collections both in Aotearoa and around the world.
Represented by Forde Gallery.
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Work 1, Te Wā o Wai te matā/ The Time of Obsidian Waters (2025)
I have imagined flying over the Waitematā as manu/birds have done since time began. Watching as the tide recedes and encroaches daily, little rivers carve themselves into sand, whilst above and below them puna/ springs and awa/ rivers carve stories in kōhatu/stone. On Waiheke Island there is a line of Matā/ Obsidian that starts above my workspace on Erua road and carries along the Onetangi clifftops ending at Rorohara. This is where this kōhatu comes from. At some stage a volcano erupted and the lava cooled so quickly that crystals that are normally present in rocks are non-existent. Unlike many stones in Tāmaki, Matā/ Obsidian is not classified as a mineral but as a glass.
Size: 800mm wide x 800mm deep x 1300mm high
Material: Matā/ Obsidian and Ōnewa/Basalt
Weight: Approximately 1 tonne
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Work 2, Te Wā o Wai Heke/ The time of cascading water (2025)
The power and beauty of a single tributary falling down a cliff face. Water can be seen as the ultimate carver/ sculptor- sometimes slowly as drought lingers or, sometimes quickly as a storm in motion water carves the hardest of stone. Heaven sends a reminder to humanity that we are not in charge.
Size: 1700mm wide x 1700mm deep x 2300mm high
Material: Kōkawa Taranaki/ Taranaki Andesite
Weight: Approximately 1.5 tonnes
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Work 3, Te Ao Wai/ The World of Water (2025)
In order to survive, humanity has had to have a connection with wai/ water, both physical and spiritual. The same can be said for Kōhatu/ stone, there is an ancient and reverent drawcard in both elements. In Tāmaki Makaurau, water flows under and over Papatūānuku/ mother earth. Life-giving and refreshing, water’s energy radiates in light and flows magically, seen and unseen.
Size: 1800mm wide x 900mm deep x 1600mm high
Material: Kōkawa Taranaki/ Taranaki Andesite and Ngāi Tahu Pounamu S200B9C8
Weight: Approximately 2 tonnes
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Work 4, Tokatūwai/ Stand Strong in Water (2025)
One stone formed over millennia. An age-old method splits this kōhatu/stone in two and during this process, energy is released as a millennia of close connection is disconnected. A new energy and beauty is created. We cannot go back to how it was. One is now two – two is also one. Water still flows over the whenua/land, just differently…
This work can be installed according to site.
Each work: 850mm wide x 750mm deep x 1800mm high
Material: Kōkawa Taranaki/ Taranaki Andesite
Weight: Approximately 1.5 tonnes each work, 3 tonnes total
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Work 5, Tokiwai/ Water Adze (2025)
Inspired by early man and the first tools that were used to cut, create, build, weave, skin, and dig water trenches that allow water to flow and give life.
Size: 1900mm wide x 850mm deep x 2200mm high
Material: Kōkawa Taranaki/ Taranaki Andesite
Weight: Approximately 2 tonnes
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For price and purchase enquiries please contact Andrea Hammond, Forde Gallery on +6427 448 6699 or [email protected]
