Alan and Heather Hobbs

Bio for Alan only

On a winter’s night at Whakapapa, I found myself drawn to a man quietly whittling bone by the fire. His calm presence and focus sparked something in me — a realisation that working with my hands was the path I wanted to follow.

In the 1970s I was still searching for direction, but back in Wellington I met a local carver who agreed to teach me. For the next year he became a generous mentor, introducing me to the tools, materials, and techniques of carving. At first the process felt awkward — the coordination between mind and hand took years to develop — but I was fascinated by the way simple pieces of bone could be transformed into objects that carried both beauty and spirit.

With the support of close friends, I continued to refine my skills, and by 1985 I committed to carving full time. Only then did I begin to fully understand the challenges of the profession. Carving demands patience, discipline, and perseverance, but it also offers deep rewards: the chance to bring ideas to life through form, and to connect with people through objects that hold meaning.