Tauranga-based sculptor Daniel Wright brings over 37 years of craftsmanship to his work in copper. His creative foundations were formed in West Auckland, where the rugged landscapes of Piha and Karekare shaped a visual language defined by flowing curves and organic forms.
Though he began his career carving bone and native timber, Wright’s work evolved from furniture making and manual trades into creating copper sculptures, marking a pivotal moment in his practice. He is drawn to the metal’s responsive nature and its ability to record time through unique patinas and oxidation. Working primarily with hand tools, he combines traditional techniques with refined production systems to create sustainable, repeatable forms that honour the natural world.