Arc (2022) is a one-of-a-kind sculptural work by New Zealand artist John Allen, and one of the purest expressions of his practice. It is made from a single, continuous pōhutukawa root — and its form is entirely its own. This is the shape the root chose. Growing underground, it navigated its way through rocks and clay, finding the path of least resistance, expanding where it could, bending where it had to. Every curve, every taper, every shift in direction was determined not by the artist’s hand but by the conditions the root encountered on its journey through the earth. The artist’s role was simply to find it, free it, and finish it — to reveal the beauty already there. In that sense, Arc is a metaphor for life itself. We too find our way through resistance, around obstacles, along the paths that open to us. We too are shaped by what we encounter. And we too, if we are fortunate, arrive somewhere unexpected and beautiful. Finished with natural oil and wax, the surface reveals the grain, warmth, and character of pōhutukawa — a timber that has been finding its way through the New Zealand landscape for millions of years. Arc is an original artwork of quiet power — a deeply personal and considered gift for someone on their own path. Specifications: Title: Arc (2022) Artist: John Allen Materials: Pōhutukawa root (single continuous root) Finish: Oil and wax Length: 370 mm Care: Indoor display recommended
