Cedar Ripples (Sculpture)

About the artist

Mike Paora 

Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa 

Passionate about upcycling and sustainability, Mike Paora dedicates his craft to breathing new life into donated and salvaged timbers, with a special focus on our native timbers that would otherwise end up in the landfills. 
As a seasoned carpenter, Mike embraces the challenge of working with these unique timbers, many of which are no longer readily available. With meticulous care, Mike invests time in tasks like de-nailing and removing paint or varnish, aiming to restore and highlight the inherent beauty within each piece of timber. Drawing inspiration from his culture, nature and architecture, he skilfully transforms these timbers into stunning creations that showcase their individual charm and characteristics. 
What sets Mike’s work apart is his resourcefulness. Each piece he creates is influenced by the timbers he has recently acquired, allowing him to maximise their potential and minimise his waste. Even offcuts from previous projects find purpose in new designs, embodying his unwavering commitment to sustainability throughout his artistic journey. 
Mike Paora is of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent and resides in Whangārei