Oculus

Oculus, 2023 Carrara marble, Native recycled totara plinth, marine grade stainless steel pin, grey granite base 420 mm circular, 50 x 600 x 600 base, height 1800mm Oculus explores the relationship between form and void, drawing on a sculptural tradition in which space is treated as an active and essential element. Inspired by artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Isamu Noguchi, the work connects opposing sides through a central opening, inviting both physical and conceptual passage. Carved from luminous Carrara marble, the circular form shifts with changing light, its reflective and subtly translucent qualities revealing different aspects throughout the day and into the evening. The oculus references both the human eye and celestial bodies such as the sun and moon, while finely radiating lines evoke the energy and movement associated with these forms, as well as the iris itself. The work is elevated on a base of recycled tōtara, sourced from the artist’s former studio at the Shelly Bay Defence Base in Wellington. This introduces a material with its own history and presence, grounding the sculpture while placing the marble form into space. The contrast between the warm timber and cool stone reinforces a dialogue between earth and sky, weight and lightness. At its core, Oculus reflects on the coexistence of opposites - interior and exterior, light and shadow, solidity and void. It offers a contemplative portal, inviting viewers to look through, move around, and consider the balance and harmony that exists within these dualities, recalling the enduring experience of looking skyward through the oculus of the Pantheon in Rome.