Koruru
by Tim Codyre
This is a hand carved Koruru made from tōtara wood by Tim Codyre. It features a full face moko (Māori tattoo) embellished with pāua shell for the eyes.
The Koruru is a carved face on the gable of a meeting house, often representing the ancestor after which the house is named.
Tim is an Auckland based artist who became obsessed with woodcarving during his late teens. During his time at Elam art school, a lecturer introduced him to Ngāti Whatua master carver, Alan Nopera. This led to an apprenticeship in traditional whakairo carving. Tim went on to become the head carver on the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School whare wānanga, Kahurangi ki Maungawhau. Which then led him to work as Māori carving supervisor at the Māori Community Centre in Auckland; which was run for over thirty years by Ana Tia. During his time at the centre, Tim had the privilege of training many young men how to carve traditional whakairo.
Size: 26.5 x 18 x 1.5cmcm
Weight: 270g
Made in New Zealand