Oamaru Stone Bird Bath — The Goddess of Flora

This was my first commissioned public sculpture, and the beginning of everything that followed.

I was invited to submit a design concept for Packe Street Park — a small community garden in Christchurch, run by volunteers who wanted to grow food and create a place where people of all ages could just gather and hang out together.

I wanted to create something graceful and peaceful — something that connected with the earth, the trees, and the birds. The concept came naturally — a young woman kneeling among the plants, her long flowing hair gathered into a bowl, her hands cupped in front to hold seed. A figure that would draw birds in.

I showed my pencil sketches and pricing to the garden committee, and they gave me the green light. My first large sculpture project was underway.

I ordered the stone and had it delivered to the park. For three weeks I worked from morning until dark. It was incredibly demanding on my body — I didn't have the tools I do now and had to work at ground level off the pallet. I spent entire days sitting and kneeling, feeling intense pain every time I stood up. But I was young and could handle it. Working that way would be impossible for me now.

The community supported the project from the start. I was well looked after — hot drinks, lunch, and plenty of new friends made along the way. As the project neared completion, we decided to hold an unveiling and I wanted to make it special. I ordered dry ice for a misty effect and spent hours in the library searching for the perfect song. Eventually I found Irish Boy from the film soundtrack Cal by Mark Knopfler.