Sculpture Onshore, RNZ radio with Kathryn Ryan, Women’s Refuge Fundraising

There are moments in a creative journey that feel like quiet milestones and then there are moments that arrive with unexpected momentum, where one opportunity opens the door to another and suddenly your work is being seen, heard, and experienced in ways you had not quite imagined.

Being part of this year’s Sculpture OnShore exhibition was one of those moments for me.

My honeycomb sculptures have always been deeply personal. They are inspired by structure, resilience, and the quiet intelligence of nature. There is something powerful about the way a honeycomb can be both delicate and incredibly strong at the same time. The repeating geometry speaks to connection, community, and the unseen systems that hold things together.

Creating these works is both meditative and technical. Each piece evolves slowly, layer by layer, much like the natural forms that inspire them. Placing them into a large scale public exhibition felt exciting and vulnerable all at once, like sharing a piece of my inner world out in the open.

Sculpture OnShore is an extraordinary event set against a beautiful coastal backdrop. It brings together a wide range of artists and creative perspectives, each piece inviting people to pause and engage in their own way.

One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was watching people interact with my sculptures in real time. Some were drawn to the geometry, others to the organic feel, and many to the tactile nature of the forms. Those quiet conversations and moments of curiosity reminded me why I create in the first place.

Art comes alive through connection.

From exhibition to radio

One of the most unexpected outcomes of being part of the show was the opportunity to be featured on RNZ with Kathryn Ryan, nine to noon.

The invitation felt surreal. Stepping into that space of conversation was both grounding and energising. Kathryn has a way of drawing out not just what you make, but why you make it, and that made the experience incredibly meaningful.

If you would like to listen to the interview, you can find it here:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019012351/the-artist-and-beekeeper-who-made-a-real-life-beehive

During the interview, I spoke about the inspiration behind my honeycomb sculptures and the balance between strength and fragility that runs through them. It was also a chance to reflect on process, something that often happens quietly behind the scenes.

Speaking about the work in that way made me realise how important it is to articulate the deeper story. As artists and makers, we can spend so much time creating that we forget to pause and recognise the meaning behind what we do.

Reflection

Looking back, Sculpture OnShore was more than an exhibition. It was a catalyst.

It reinforced the importance of putting work out into the world, even when it feels vulnerable. It reminded me that opportunities often grow simply from showing up and sharing what you have created. It also highlighted the power of storytelling, both through the work itself and through the conversations that surround it.

What’s next

This experience has shifted something for me. It has given me confidence to keep exploring, to push further with my materials and forms, and to continue sharing the evolving story behind my work.

To everyone who visited, engaged, or took a moment to connect with my sculptures, thank you. And to those who discovered my work through the RNZ feature, welcome.

There is more to come!