History – Painting With Wood

This stunning artwork was created in the late 1980s by Mary and Malcolm Wilkinson, who were living in Glenfield, Auckland, at the time.

The work is a wonderful combination of carving and marquetry crafted by the dynamic duo who collaborated on many projects over the years. Mal (as he was known) was a proficient woodworker and carver, while Mary was a highly skilled marquetry artist; together, they shared a love of wood.

The couple had a close relationship with the Kauri Museum and were an integral part of the many ‘working wood with hand tools’ demonstrations that featured at the museum over the years.

This artwork pays homage to the mighty kauri and illustrates the changes that occurred in the landscape with the arrival and settlement of pioneers in Northland during the 19th century.

Comprising three separate storyboards divided by carved kauri trees, this hefty piece measures 2240mm wide by 850mm high. Each of the three panels depicts a different scene. The left-hand panel illustrates an untouched natural landscape, with mature kauri trees and bush-clad hills, the sailing ship in the harbour signifying the ‘arrival’ of the settlers.

The central panel depicts the impact of the logging industry, and the right-hand panel shows the transition to a predominantly agrarian landscape. Once Mal had made the framework, including carving the kauri trees, Mary then illustrated the story by painting with ultra-thin layers of wood.

The art of marquetry is an intricate business, requiring the precise cutting of fine layers of wood veneers of different colours and grains, which are then perfectly fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Mary used an astounding array of New Zealand native and exotic timbers to create this work, diligently recording her use of each one. Kauri was used to depict the sky, tōtara for the settlers’ shirt and hīnau for the kauri trunks. The pīwakawaka (fantail) was made with walnut, the ship with rosewood, and the waterfall with Koto – an African timber species.

Over thirty-five different wood species are represented in this artwork, a testament to the depth of knowledge and incredible skills of Mary and Mal Wilkinson. While a sobering reminder of the effects of colonisation on the landscape and how the kauri became endangered, this artwork also acknowledges how far we have come in understanding the importance of conserving and protecting our forests.

Through our exhibitions, collections and displays at the Kauri Museum, we share stories of courage and determination, tragedy and triumph, boundless hope and unfathomable loss by celebrating one of the world’s most magnificent tree species: rākau rangatira, a chiefly tree, the mighty kauri.

Kauri Museum collection, 1990.42