DEPOT Artist
Garth Ward
Ngati Pakeha (England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland)
Garth has been learning Maori carving, tutored by Natanahira Te Pona at Lakehouse Arts Centre in Takapuna. He started with the panel carving course and has continued to carve Māori masks, pou, patu, wahaika and now is working on a taiaha.
His interest in woodwork was sparked by manual training at intermediate school. Following a professional life as an accountant, spent working in financial roles for a number of companies, Garth now has time to pursue his passion for wood.
After making a number of furniture pieces for his home, mainly using recycled NZ native timbers, he discovered the Centre for Fine Woodworking near Nelson at which he has taken several short courses.
A prized chip-carved coffee table made by his grandfather inspired him to take a course in chip carving with GeoJ Korver, a tutor with the Centre for Fine Woodworking.
Māori carving has been next step in his journey.
