Feathered Legacies - The Story Behind Des Smith's Latest Collection
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Feathered Legacies of Aotearoa is a series deeply rooted in Des Smith's family farming heritage and their strong ties to the Far North of New Zealand. This personal history has fueled a desire to learn more and share Des’s journey with others. By combining contrasting shapes and forms with materials that have held significant meaning over time, these works capture the stories and experiences passed down through conversations with family and farmers who have worked the land and been surrounded by nature, creating a legacy that endures in his art.
The series focuses on using reclaimed native timber, preserving the value of its history. These farm posts and battens reflect New Zealand’s agricultural past, bearing the marks of decades of exposure to the elements. Time has bestowed upon them a rustic patina, and with careful craftsmanship, the artist reveals the rich, deep center of the wood—a testament to the enduring resilience and beauty of Aotearoa’s native timber.
Atop the post rests a delicate feather from a native New Zealand bird, adding a touch of elegance and grace to the composition. The feather’s lightness contrasts with the rough texture of the timber, highlighting the vibrant colors and intricate grain. This juxtaposition between the feather’s fragility and the post’s solidity, shaped by its previous purpose, creates a compelling narrative about the connection between our land, forests, and birdlife. Des’s craftsmanship celebrates nature within our homes.
This series invites reflection on the harmony between New Zealand's native species and its agricultural past, celebrating the enduring bond between nature and the lives it touches, and the mutual support they provide in shaping the identity of Aotearoa.
The series focuses on using reclaimed native timber, preserving the value of its history. These farm posts and battens reflect New Zealand’s agricultural past, bearing the marks of decades of exposure to the elements. Time has bestowed upon them a rustic patina, and with careful craftsmanship, the artist reveals the rich, deep center of the wood—a testament to the enduring resilience and beauty of Aotearoa’s native timber.
Atop the post rests a delicate feather from a native New Zealand bird, adding a touch of elegance and grace to the composition. The feather’s lightness contrasts with the rough texture of the timber, highlighting the vibrant colors and intricate grain. This juxtaposition between the feather’s fragility and the post’s solidity, shaped by its previous purpose, creates a compelling narrative about the connection between our land, forests, and birdlife. Des’s craftsmanship celebrates nature within our homes.
This series invites reflection on the harmony between New Zealand's native species and its agricultural past, celebrating the enduring bond between nature and the lives it touches, and the mutual support they provide in shaping the identity of Aotearoa.