Dunedin

Dunedin’s Roel Schouten loves creating beautiful things from wood. The self-taught craftsman and musician has, for many years, created instruments ranging from Cajon drums to guitars. Eight years ago, his friend and artist Blair Somerville (‘The Lost Gypsy’ of the Catlins), taught Roel to make these delightful, kinetic, articulated whale artworks. Turning the handle guides thin wires that push and pull the whale sections up and down in a wonderful fluid motion. Some whales swim free, others are cupped within a beautiful paua shell ‘ocean’. Some swim alone, others are joined by a whale calf – all are an absolute joy to see in motion.