Oriah Rapley

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Oriah Rapley

What inspires your art practice?
Being able to have a voice and express concepts around courage and resilience through a visual and tactile medium as sculpture is incredibly inspiring. I enjoy expanding ideas to provoke conversation, finding beauty in chaos.

What materials do you work in?
Stone, wood, metal and bronze

Describe your artwork for NZ Sculpture OnShore 2021
Guardian, from the Bird Goddess Series is a silent sentinel standing steadfast with courage and grace.

After contemplating what the World would look like if humans didn’t inhabit it. I decided birds would be the wise counsel, from there came the concept of the Bird Goddesses and from that the Guardians. The Black Marble pillar that this piece is made from is originally from an old Auckland building. I have worked the pillar as close to its original form as possible the missing fragments at the bottom are a testament to its long life and transition from architectural statement to the sculptural form it now takes.

Land bird is a stylised bird with the landscape cradled in her wings. Poised for the flight ahead, her innate navigational skills fill her with courage for the flight ahead. The land needs rescuing, where will she take it?

Where are the public most likely to see your artworks outside of NZSOS?
Private collections around NZ.

www.oriahrapley.weebly.com