Exquisite instruments on show at Space Gallery

Each one of Mikel Durel's musical instruments is unique and lovingly crafted but can they be played and do they sound good?

Visitors to Whanganui's Space Gallery will have the opportunity to find out on Saturday when the artist will be offering a floor talk and demonstration.

The Whanganui born "sound sculptor" now works as a woodwork teacher at Upper Hutt College and most of his non-teaching time is taken up with creating his bespoke stringed instruments.

Constructed from different woods and an astounding array of repurposed objects, his instruments all have strings but while they may have just one string they can also have up to 10.

"It's about the resonance," he says.

"I'm always on the lookout for objects that will lend themselves to creating resonance."

Artist Mikel Durel will give a floor talk and demonstration of his sound sculptures at Space Gallery Photo/Stuart Munro

Hub caps, wing mirrors, a copper spittoon, light sconces and shades, wooden bowls and a tea pot trivet are just some of the objects incorporated in the designs.

Coils from electric toasters make excellent pick-ups, he says.

For decorative effects, Durel has used carvings from Victorian furniture, paua shell and even a set of deer antlers on a cello named Necromancer.

"I give them names and they develop personalities as I'm working on them," says the artist.

The 2 String Yaybahar Ironbark looks like the most fantastical of all but Durel says he copied the idea.

"It was invented by a Turkish musician and when I read about it, I just had to make one of my own," he said.

Long coils that help sound travel from the strings to child-sized bass and tomtom drums had to be imported from Australia but the rest is constructed from objects found or fashioned from wood.

Included in the exhibition are painted portraits of each instrument by Durel's wife Gabrielle Edmonds.

To join the floor talk and demonstration at 11am on Saturday, it is essential to email Space Gallery owner Sarah Williams at sarah@spacestudiogallery.co.nz