Goosewood AGA - Antipodian Garden Art

About Goosewood

Goosewood make hand carved garden art from Macrocarpa and Oamaru stone. No power tools are used.

Our sculptures are antipodean themed, with a synthesis of Māori, Pacifica and Celtic symbology. Our belief is that "Antipodean" is a good name for what is Aoteoroa`s (New Zealands) cultural crossroads or tūrangawaewae. Tūrangawaewae is a Maori word used to express a sense of identity and independence associated with having a particular home base.

Our sculptures do not slavishly follow any specific cultural symbols but instead try to reflect a joining together or fusion of the cultural histories into a new "Antipodean" or New Zealand venacular. Aotearoa New Zealand is a unique country and we believe that a unique combination of our various sculptural, artistic and symbolic heritages is a good style for Goosewood to express through its sculptures.

Our aim is to help you to create a piece that, when you look at it, reminds you of your sense of identity and belonging. Bring together, in one carving, the symbols that speak to you of your journey and your home. Our sculptures will be unique to your requirements, tell us what has been most impactful in your, or your loved ones, life and we will work with you to come up with your personalised design blueprint for the artwork that you are looking for.

Think big or small, ground, ceiling or wall, indoors or out and talk to us about the many varieties, sizes, shapes and colours of your chosen medium - wood, stone or metal. Use your imagination, bring us your ideas and we can give you your tūrangawaewae.

Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of migrants, some new, some much much older, but all living together on these remote and beautiful islands. Goosewood hopes that its garden art will in some small way embody the mighty awesomeness (mauri) of our beautiful little country.

So please have a look around our site (its only small), as looking around is what we migrants both old and new have been doing since the first waka arrived on the sandy shores of our little corner of the world all those centuries ago.

MATERIALS

What we craft our art with

Macrocarpa

Macrocarpa is also known as Monterey Cypress.

Macrocarpa supplied in New Zealand is grown within New Zealand as an exotic tree. The timber comes from either a forested plantation source, or farm shelterbelts.

Stone

Oamaru stone, sometimes called whitestone, is a hard, compact limestone, quarried at Weston, near Oamaru in Otago,New Zealand.

NEW STYLES

Interesting new aesthetics for our pieces

As we have mentioned our sculptures are antipodean themed. This has meant a synthesis of Māori, Pacifica and Celtic symbology. Other styles have interesting asthetics to add to the final form and shape of the materials we use. As a result we have added additional styles to our work. Firstly we have now added a sho sugi ban style of finish as an option to the Macrocarpa carvings to add both a contrast and texture to the design. Next we have created a styalised form of Jizo, a guardian familiar to many Japanese people in Oamaru stone.

Sho Sugi Ban 焼杉板 (Yakisugi)

Shou Sugi Ban 'The art of charred wood' is an ancient Japanese exterior wood preservation
technique that preserves the wood by charring the surface with fire. Traditionally, Sugi (Japanese cedar) was used, with some buidling facades lasting for over 60 years

Jizo 地蔵 (Guardian of Children And Travelers)

It's a common sight to see small stone Jizo statues throughout Japan. Resembling a Buddhist monk, these peaceful figures are believed to be the guardians of children and travelers. Affectionately called, O-Jizo-san, this deity holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese people.

Once you have installed your sculpture it is important to understand that it will be effected by its surroundings. There are ways to maintain and protect your piece so that you will continue to enjoy your sculpture for many years to come.

Displaying your sculpture

Macrocarpa is wood. Be aware that it can split, crack, rot, fade, burn and/or be attacked by insects. Putting a little thought into where and how it`s displayed can help your carving to last years longer.

We can provide a metal stand for your artwork. Do not set your carving directly onto soil or grass. Macrocarpa is water resistant, but not treated for in-ground use. If you are not using a stand, a pad of concrete, gravel or paving stones is better and will help protect the base from water and insect damage.

Heat from the sun or household heat [indoors] will dry the wood quickly which causes additional cracking. Avoid these when possible or be prepared to renew the finish more frequently.

Rain is not much of a problem for a properly installed sculpture. Frequent drenching with water [irrigation, etc.] increases the likelyhood of water damage so try to display your carving beyond the reach of your lawn sprinklers. Additionally it can be sealed [described below] if it is to be displayed in a wet location or climate.

Care of your sculpture

Macrocarpa or Cypress are some of the most sought-after woods that are ideal for many outdoor and indoor uses. It is a fine grained wood that is durable and resistant to rotting and insects.

Macrocarpa can be left natural or it can be painted or stained to match any decor.

Macrocarpa timber does contain its own natural preservative, which makes it suitable for outdoor use in New Zealand weather conditions.

Many people prefer to allow their Macrocarpa items to age naturally outdoors. Left untreated, the colour will weather to a beautiful soft silver grey highlighted by darker streaks, and the grain of the wood will become slightly raised.

Untreated Macrocarpa is natural and pleasing, however, the wood is porous and over the long term may become discolored if left in damp or shaded areas.

A 20 percent solution of household bleach in water with a tablespoon of detergent (washing up liquid) per 5 litres will usually remove the stain or a product such as 20 Seconds (or similar product) will acheive the same result. Even after years of exposure, Macrocarpa can be refinished to its natural bright clean appearance.

If you are unsure, please check with us before applying any chemcial.

We do NOT recommend water-blasting as this can cause damage to the fine fibers of Macrocarpa timber, and therefore cause lasting damage to the sculpture in general.

It is important to understand that any timber exposed to exterior weather conditions will have some form of timber movement and may experience cracking. This may also occur where the timber is stained or painted.

The sculpture may be ordered or created with a surface finish such as stain or paint. For protection that helps enhance and maintain wood`s natural color, there are several wood oils available. These and stains must be re-applied peridoicially to maintain their "look". Every second year or so you might need to re-apply a coat of stain to freshen the finish. Little or no sanding preparation or primer is needed when you use a stain. Stain is breathable and will repel moisture, therefore, no blistering or peeling.

Wattyl Forest Wood

Wattyl Forestwood Traditional Oil Stain dries completely to give a surface that won’t mark clothing or skin, an Oil rich formula that penetrates Macrocarpa wood to protect and enhance it’s natural colour.

Macrocarpa Wood Wax

The healthy, natural alternative to chemical timber treatment

CONTACT

Auckland, New Zealand

Please use email or comments to contact

aga@goosewood.co.nz

support@goosewood.co.nz To report a problem

Share Us

Goosewood A.G.A

(Antipodean Garden Art)

About Goosewood

Goosewood make hand carved garden art from Macrocarpa and Oamaru stone. No power tools are used.

Think big or small, ground, ceiling or wall, indoors or out and talk to us about the many varieties, sizes, shapes and colours of your chosen medium - wood, stone or metal. Use your imagination, bring us your ideas and we can give you your tūrangawaewae.

Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of migrants, some new, some much much older, but all living together on these remote and beautiful islands. Goosewood hopes that its garden art will in some small way embody the mighty awesomeness (mauri) of our beautiful little country.

So please have a look around our site (its only small), as looking around is what we migrants both old and new have been doing since the first waka arrived on the sandy shores of our little corner of the world all those centuries ago.

Our Values

Why no power tools and why Macrocarpa and Oamaru Stone?

AUTHENTIC: At Goosewood a choice was made that authenticity was important. We did not want to mass produce cultural symbols out of tanalised pine or concrete.

WE CARE: The environment is important to all of us. The tanalising process involves saturating the wood fibres under high pressure and heat with copper, chrome and arsenic. Its not what I want in my garden and I am pretty sure that my kids won`t thank me for using it either.

SUSTAINABLE: Macrocarpa is an excellent example of a sustainable local (yet exotic) wood that we use for carving. Oamaru stone is part of New Zealand and when you or time has finished with it, it will return to the land that it was part of.

UNIQUE: Hand carving makes each piece unique.