Liz McAuliffe is a Hokianga-based artist whose work celebrates
the diversity, uniqueness and minutiae of New Zealand flora and
fauna.
McAuliffe's earlier series of carved work focussed on the
re-presentation of iconic New Zealand plants and animals, such as
the scallop shell, kowhai seed pods, lancewood leaves and the
cross-sectional 'slice' of a lotus seed pod - all designed to be
displayed as wall-hung sculpture. More recently, McAuliffe has
built upon her previous series of work, taking her artistic
practice in a new direction by drawing attention to the simple
elegance of marine invertebrates: sea urchins, flatworms and
jellyfish. These works have a dual purpose - at once presenting a
highly-detailed expression of McAuliffe's personal fascination with
nature and also an homage to both the animals and illustrations in
AWB Powell's iconic Native Animals of New Zealand, a
well-thumbed school text embedded in much of the nation's conscious
as the handbook to classroom studies of the sea and the rocky
shore.*
For McAuliffe, the concept of these works presents a double
entendre, marking a new direction in her career in both subject and
application, while referencing works from the past and making light
of our implicit nostalgia for things historical. In drawing
attention to the magnified aspects of New Zealand's flora
and fauna, McAuliffe draws attention to how New Zealand's
geographical position and general isolation has allowed the
development of species unique to the country. McAuliffe celebrates
this diversity and uniqueness and her work is a constant reminder
of New Zealanders' close relationship with the
environment. McAuliffe works in variety of media, from MDF
(Medium Density Fibreboard) to 40,000 year old swamp Kauri,
manipulating the media with instruments from chainsaw to chisel
before finishing with paint. By exaggerating scale, McAuliffe
brings natural details into human proportion, encouraging the
viewer to reflect on their own experience of nature.
McAuliffe's work has featured in various publications, including
recent issues of Trends and Life & Leisure magazines. She is a
regular exhibitor in group shows throughout New Zealand and has
recently held her first solo exhibition in Kohukohu's newly
established and thriving Village Arts Gallery.
*AWB Powell's book was first published as a zoology handbook
in 1947 by the Auckland Museum and became a standard school text.
The 4th edition is still being sold today through the
museum.