The waka paddle is one of the most elemental forms in Aotearoa — a tool of navigation, of connection, of crossing water. Waka Paddle 5 (2023) by New Zealand artist John Allen honours that form while giving it an entirely new energy: bold, colourful, and full of life.The handle is shaped from driftwood, carrying the quiet history of the sea. The blade is crafted from demolition kauri — one of New Zealand’s most treasured and ancient timbers, reclaimed from an old building and given new purpose. Across the blade, the artist has painted a free, loose, and joyfully colourful pattern that transforms the paddle into something vibrant and contemporary — a piece that feels as at home in a young person’s room as it does in a gallery.Like Waka Paddle 4, the piece is fitted with integrated LED up and down lights that cast a warm glow across the wall. At one metre in length, it commands the space with energy and presence.Waka Paddle 5 is a unique ambient wall sculpture that is both culturally rooted and joyfully expressive — an exceptional and distinctive gift for a young person, an art lover, or anyone who wants something genuinely unlike anything else on their wall.Specifications: Title: Waka Paddle 5 (2023) Artist: John Allen Materials: Driftwood handle, demolition kauri blade, acrylic paint, integrated LED up/down lights Length: 1000 mm Lighting: Plug-in LED — up and down lights Year: 2023 Care: Indoor display recommended
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