Profile

​My name is Aaron Ellis-Smith.  I was born in New Zealand and live in Mangawhai, a coastal town on the east coast of the north island, 1 hour south of Whangarei.
 
I began carving in 2004 and have always loved timber.  I carve most types of wood (and occasionally other mediums), but find swamp kauri the most enjoyable timber to sculpt.  Something about it’s character, age (this can range from 2000 to 50,000 years old), feeling and uniqueness to New Zealand inspires me.  I also enjoy New Zealand’s native forest, and perhaps part of the reason I love swamp kauri is, although it is a finite resource, it doesn’t require damage to, or the felling of our wonderful native forest.
 
Carving is something I enjoy doing, being a part of a pieces evolution into final form is something I never get tired of.  I hope that those who see my work gain as much pleasure from the pieces, as I received creating them.
 
Most of my pieces are not named.  Sometimes it just feels right to name them, but mostly, I believe that every individual has their own unique perceptions and ‘point of view’ and therefore I generally prefer to let each individual see and feel the piece ‘fresh’ for themselves.  Each person may see something different and most important is how a sculpture makes you feel.
 
I also carve on a commission basis working with the person to try and ensure that their vision and my vision is aligned for the ultimate and desired outcome for both parties.
 
I have also recently started carving Oamaru stone, which I am enjoying and I love the contrast between the stone and the timber.

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KAURI (Agathis australis)

Scientific Name: Agathis australis
Family: Araucariaceae
Genus: Agathis
Species: australis is the only species in New Zealand

The Kauri tree, Agathis australis, is New Zealand’s largest and most famous native tree. The Kauri is a type of conifer or pine tree which grows in the subtropical   northern part of the North Island.
Ancestors of the Kauri first appeared in the Jurassic Period 190 – 135 million years ago. The Kauri – podocarp (cone bearing) – hardwood forests are among the most ancient in the world.
The largest Kauri in existence is Tane Mahuta (Maori for 'Lord of the Forest'). Tane Mahuta is 4.4 metres in diameter and 17.7 metres to the first branch.  The oldest tree is estimated to be 2,000 years old.  This is Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest) in Waipoua Forest.  Larger trees from the past were even older! 
 

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A BIT ABOUT SWAMP KAURI

Swamp Kauri comes from Kauri forests which were buried and preserved in peat up to 50,000 years ago in New Zealand's North Island at the end of the last Ice Age.  The trees have survived the centuries underground, sealed in a chemically balanced environment that preserved the timber in perfect condition.  The trees grew for nearly 2000 years before they were buried.  Some have a girth of around 40 feet, and a total height of nearly 200 feet.

Only the lower trunk section and ball root structure is predominantly found.  The trunk tends to taper to a "V" shape as the portion of the log lying above ground has decayed to ground level.  Some logs are on a 20 degree angle into the ground suggesting they have fallen over with force, probably under a larger tree that has fallen on to it.  For this reason complete round logs lying deeper in the ground are occasionally found.

Extraction of the logs is time consuming, expensive and technically difficult requiring skilled operators of heavy machinery.  Working in wet conditions each log must be carefully brought to the surface.  After the log has been removed, the area is then restored to its original contours.

The extracted kauri has become an alternative source for old-growth wood supply and often finds its way to furniture builders, boat makers, and wood artisans.

A trademark of the ancient Kauri is white bait. White bait refers to the deep, shimmering streaks of iridescence found in some of the wilder grain patterns. This particular grain is named after schools of New Zealand whitebait fish that emit a similar pattern when swimming in one direction.