Ako – Learning

This is a piece that I was really keen to make.  It is for a teacher who is passionate about education and committed to lifelong learning.  Education is one of the important areas of work that I have focused on in my short life and to make this for another teacher is special.

The piece is called Ako. It is made from Kawakawa sourced from the Kaniere Stream that flows into the Hokitika river on the West Coast of New Zealand.

Learning is ongoing, we are always pursuing more pieces to our puzzle.

The incomplete circle represents what we have to offer and contribute to the world and others.

The missing semi-circle represents what there is still to discover.

Discovery comes from many avenues including connecting and sharing with others

This was the original piece of Pounamu that was chosen for this taonga.

The first form I shared had something not quite right in the proportions.  It was the size of the indented semicircle, needed to take more off we agreed.

So this is where I went with that feedback and we were on track for the final curves then sanding and polishing.

And then finally the lashing and all done.