The Paulownia wood sculpture, Percy the Penguin, by award winning sculptor Rod Laurence has found a new home in the Waikato. A gallery favourite, especially of visiting children (of all ages). He will be missed.

About this sculpture:

Paulownia is a fast growing, deciduous tree endemic to Asia.

The timber (called “Kiri” in Japan) is highly valued and is widely used in construction and for high value household items, furniture, musical instruments and other artifacts.

Paulownia trees are quick-growing, producing large, soft nutritious leaves with high protein content. Both leaves and bark are sought after and highly valued by livestock and in the agroforestry industry.

Worldwide plantings occurred from the early 1990s, and subsequent harvesting has seen paulownia’s most common use evolve as the premiere timber for wooden surfboard construction. Characteristics of Paulownia are its light weight, easy workability and appealing finish, making it popular for a range of niche applications.

Rod Laurence, based in Matangi, began planting in the 1990s with first milling 8 years later. He now continues to market paulownia to a number of surfers, boatbuilders, artists and other creative people. As a sculptor himself, Rod has a passion for art and the environment, and paulownia production fits well with his sustainable, eco-friendly outlook.

Rod is a member of www.artscollective.co.nz, Whangamata. Over the last 10 years he has produced artworks for their annual Harcourts Challenge receiving their Supreme Award in 2023.