Q&A with James Wright

Dotted across the wider Auckland and Waikato regions are Corten steel sculptures by Clevedon artist James Wright. In front of the popular Farm House Cafe Clevedon, stands a towering dog, while high on a hill at Maramarua is another of Wright’s designs, Maramarua Man. HELENA O’NEILL quizzed James Wright to find out more about the man behind the designs.

Where were you born, and where did you grow up?

I grew up in Karaka and Patumahoe on farmland.

How did you become an artist?

I’ve always been hands-on, from my early days in the farm shearing shed, watching and learning from my father. Various work experiences have given me very useful practical knowledge, skills, and understanding.

What do you love about sculpting?

What’s not to love? Being based at home, always on a journey of new discovery, sharing your creations that bring joy to clients, and creating friendships.

What drew you to work with Corten steel?

Corten steel – it’s a bit like me: resilient, hard-wearing, but with a soft side that can be expressed through workmanship. Corten sculpture has a sense of belonging and presence in our environment.

Do you enjoy other art techniques? If so, which ones?

I enjoy dabbling with bronze and glass casting – each material has unique qualities.

Who or what influences your sculptures?

Extensive travel has given me new insights and inspiration from different cultures and styles – the sea, birds, and people.

Do you have a favourite work and why that particular piece?

I love all my pieces. So much time, energy, and thought go into them that they always leave a footprint. A new favourite is born every time I start a new piece.

Tell me about your recent art installation at Maramarua. It’s a very distinctive piece.

Ah Maramarua Man. Being on site, wandering around the landscape and taking in the hills and hollows, as well as listening to ideas expressed by the client, led to my design of the elongated, tapering figure. It expresses a strong connection to the land and an individual with a purpose.

Do a lot of your sculptures require the use of a helicopter to get upright?

Scale and access are the main reasons for using Helisika helicopters. A lot of the work is over width for general transport.

What are some of your other recent sculptures? Which ones might we spot around the wider Franklin and North Waikato areas?

Recently, I was commissioned by Te Awa River Ride to create work for a new sculpture trail along the trails. I designed a 7-metre Tuna Kuwharuwharu (longfin eel) with a scenic backdrop of the mighty river. Wag, a playful frisbee-catching dog, is installed as well. Another large commission stands at Riverhaven Artland, Clevedon: a pair of clasped hands, created for a local family – a very special work.

How did you and Cheryl get involved with Art Industry?

Art Industry is an eclectic mix of mediums and scales by various New Zealand artists. It started as an opportunity to showcase our work and is now a growing collection of diverse works.

What do you love about the art community in Franklin?

We are lucky to have the support of various creative events, like the upcoming Franklin Art Trail on Labour Weekend.

• Art Industry in Clevedon is run by artists Cheryl & James Wright, offering a unique collection of sculpture, painting, jewellery, ceramics, cast glass, bronze, photography and prints by more than 30 established and emerging artists.