Raft, Styx (Sticks), 1993-1997
Recycled kauri, Stockholm tarred rope, embossed text, oil paint, acrylic stains and beeswax, 3000 x 2000 x 50mm. Collection of the artist.
The ‘Raft’ refers to the huge herringbone rafts of the kauri logging industry, that were formed once the logs had been flushed from the inland valleys, to open water. The logs were drilled and assembled to form huge ‘herringbone’ rafts to be towed behind ships to local sawmills. I researched an archive of extraordinary and eloquent photographs of the ruin created by the uncontrolled industry which saw the loss of 85% of ancient kauri forest. I made several artist’s books about the loss of kauri forests, some in salvaged kauri and others photocopied on paper and mylar. This series of work, which took several years to complete, eventually culminated in the making of the Styx(Sticks)
Raft references the huge herringbone rafts made from kauri logs. Individual logs were drilled and connected by rope or chain ‘herringbone’ style, the traditional method of towing Kauri log rafts down rivers to the sea for export by sailing ship or to be milled.
Abhorrent Styx, the flood of deadly hate,
Sad Acheron of sorrow black and deep;
Cocytus named of lamentation loud
Heard on the rueful stream;fierce Phlegathon
Whose waves of torrent inflame with rage.
Lethe, the river of oblivion, rolls
Her watery labyrinth, where of who drinks
Forthwith his former state and being forgets,
Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.
from : The Illiad / Homer