Stories Carved In Wood: The Language of Wood and Responses in Wood

The Taupō Museum is set to host "Stories Carved In Wood," a dual exhibition featuring "The Language of Wood" and "Responses in Wood," running from August 15 to September 21, 2026. These exhibitions celebrate the diverse artistic expressions possible with timber, highlighting hand-crafted work in a digital age.

"The Language of Wood" brings together the work of local Taupō artists Angela Zajonskowski, Jodie Appleton, and Sally-Ann Davies. Their collective exhibition explores themes of shared connection and care for the land ("whenua") through various mediums, including sculptural woodturning, pyrography, and layered woodcut prints. Angela Zajonskowski, for instance, works with ancient swamp kauri, revealing its natural patterns and colors formed over thousands of years.

Concurrently, "Responses in Wood" is a solo exhibition by local artist Jan Ubels. With a background in set design and building for opera, Ubels describes himself as a "compulsive maker," creating pieces through layered processes of cutting, carving, painting, and assembling. His work directly responds to the material, with a new centerpiece for the Niven Gallery inspired by the Ukraine-Russia war featuring refugees on plywood fragments. Visitors can get a preview of some works installed along the Wairākei Drive fenceline before entering the museum.