Woodville sculptor's passion to work with wood

Woodville emerging artist Michael Mabey with two of his three large sculptures he's spent six years creating on show at the Lindauer art exhibition at the Woodville Racecourse.

For the past 37 years Woodville's Michael Mabey has spent his working day jointing and fitting underground cables and his spare time painting and sculpting.

But he's hoping that will change. One of the emerging artists in the second Lindauer Art Exhibition in Woodville, along with Dannevirke photographer Ali Mine-Jones, Michael's passion is his art.

"I see good things around me and I like to put everyday things into a different environment," he said.

Jana Uhlirova, curator at the CHB Settlers Museum in Waipawa, and her partner Steven Belk at the opening of the Tararua District Lindauer art exhibition in Woodville on Tuesday night.

"My artwork is my spare time hobby and this is the first time I've exhibited, but now I want to take it to the next stage," he said.

Exhibited among the 130 artworks, including paintings, photographs, sculptures and etched copper on display underneath the public stand at the Woodville Racecourse are Michael's larger-than-life medieval sculptures and his huge works on canvas.

The wooden sculptures have taken six years to create and Michael said his pleasure comes from working on a piece of wood and getting it to flow.

Michael describes his artwork as "stories in time".

"I like to put a bit of spirit into my pictures, with creative, vibrant colours, but it can be tricky getting it to flow."

A talking point at the opening of the exhibition on Tuesday night were Michael's giant wooden sculptures.

"They're a bit of the Knights Templar returning to the Holy Grail," he said.

"My family originated from the lowlands of Scotland, emigrating to New Zealand in 1841 and settled in the Hutt Valley. These sculptures would be at home here or back in Scotland."

Using macrocarpa which grows around Woodville, as well as local oak, the sculptures were "fantastic", Dannevirke's Keith Cammock said.

"These are the most spectacular pieces here."

The exhibition puts Woodville at the centre of all things related to Gottfried Lindauer who lived and worked in the town for 36 years and is buried in the town's historic gorge cemetery.

Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said the presentation of the exhibition is the best she's ever seen.

"The record number of entries is fantastic. Gottfried Lindauer's fame has become Woodville's fame," she said.

Among the guests at the opening night on Tuesday were Jana Uhlirova, curator at the CHB Settlers Museum in Waipawa and her partner Steven Belk.

"It's very good to see the support for local art," Jana said.

"We also hold an annual exhibition because it's really important to support artists."

¦The exhibition runs until Tuesday, April 25, 10am to 3pm, at the Woodville Racecourse.