Ian McMillan's Tauihu Canoe Prow Carving

The Ian McMillan Estate Collection. At age 10 Ian McMillan was introduced to carving by Bruce Manley and continued to develop a love, knowledge and understanding of Maori and New Zealand history and culture. Ian spent the latter years of his life based at Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand . He used only traditional hand tools and carving techniques to produce wood carvings that expressed Maori mythology. His work reflected on Maori art. Using found timber enabled Ian to portray work that revealed the piece as if it were possessed of properties of myth and legend, age and use. Ian celebrated the ability to incorporate naturally occurring damage from pepetuna, the boring grub of a p'riri moth; the hollowing effects of decay; the cavities left by colonist's nails that had completely rusted away, or the remnant of their paint on the timber to enhance those properties. His carving and thoughtful surface detailing elevate his work above that of replica to those of fine art. Ian was born 1965 and died 2016. The items offered in this auction are being sold on behalf of Ian's estate. Ian Robert McMillan (1965-2016) carved canoe prow - tauihu, elaborately and finely carved in traditional style using found timber with distress resembling that of an ancient prow, the forward facing figure with arms extended back; raised on two carved supports and large plinth. Length 140 cm approx. Height 77 cm.