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The Spore

This pole is intended to represent the way different nationalities are spread around the world. The Spore's original concept began as a very organic 'Pod like' structure, similar to that of 'peas in a pod'. It is seen splitting open, releasing seeds of positive energy and life. It also honours the many races of human kind and how they spread throughout the world. Wanting to challenge himself, the artist specifically requested a truly hard wood.

The Spore is carved from a single piece of Maire, one of the hardest native timbers to be found in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Location Corner Logan Street and SH 1 (northern end of town)
Material Black Maire, Mounted on concrete base with steel supports bolted to pole.
Created 2004
Artist Andy Hancoc
Definition of Name Spore - In biology terms, a spore is a reproductive body, that is capable of becoming and growing into a new organism.
Definition Interpretation Spore can be interpreted as displaying ones life cycle, or the life cycle of any living thing. It can also be affected by surrounding factors and environment which determine its final result.

Materials

This piece of Maire was donated by Te Putahitanga O Nga Ara Trust.

Black Maire is often a straight-trunked tree to 23 metres tall, it sometimes develops several branches. The trunk can be up to 1.5 metres in diameter, branchlets covered with hairs. Black Maire can be found in lowland forests from North Cape down to Kaikoura. Of all the native timbers this is the second hardest only to Pūriri. The Māori would use it to make digging spades, clubs, root pounders & flax beaters.

Artist Notes

Andy Hancock is from Wales/Australia and now resides in Texas. Andy's work specialises in working on both fallen and standing dead trees, and his largest to date a dead Beech tree, is the tallest wood carving in Britain at 42 feet. Another of his sculptures was unveiled by her majesty the Queen to celebrate 50 years of education at a College in North Wales. Andy's work can be seen all over Europe as well as America, Russia, Australia and of course, New Zealand.

Corporate clients and large public service organisations such as Councils, colleges and schools commission his work. Andy's artwork is original not ordinary, this is his motto. Andy is self-taught with a lot of help from great artists, sculptors, painters, machine drivers, scientists, and curators and with the help and support of his family.


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