About
In the tranquil village, nestled on the volcanic slopes of Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand, Michael Phillip Bennett crafts his vision in his Cass Bay studio.
Inspired by a deep respect for natural elements, Mick’s artistry blends his life’s experiences with his enduring creativity, capturing forms that evoke themes of solitude, resilience, and harmony with the Earth.
Mick’s journey into art evolved over years of honing skills from diverse paths, eventually shaping his passion for sculpture. Working with repurposed copper, he hand-cuts each piece, layering and shaping it with careful precision. Each stage of his process is meticulous: after forming, the metal is clamped and brazed, then further reinforced internally to create sculptures durable enough for outdoor display and all weather. Indoors, his pieces reveal intricate layers and fine details that invite the viewer to experience them up close.
Whether outdoors or in a home, Mick’s sculptures exude a raw, organic presence. Each piece carries a story, born through the transformative power of fire and metal that bridges worlds, rekindling our bond to something elemental, enduring, and deeply rooted.
Description of works
As a sculptor I have two practices I focus on. Both of the same medium with one style replicating what already exists in nature and the other a unique creation manifest from personal emotional experiences with the purpose to evoke emotion or feelings in others.
The first is an honouring process that requires a large amount of time consciously studying the natural detail of an animal or body. I then attempt to replicate it as closely as I can by hand chopping repurposed copper and brazing together.
The second originates from a place unknown to me. A wave of inspiration that merely passes through me. I start with a strong feeling of love towards the New Zealand Native Cabbage Tree/ti kōuka. Everyone I come across radiates an energy that makes me pause. I see and feel an individual personality in all of them. When I acknowledge this connection in my moment of pause, I feel a shift in myself, especially when it’s joyfully dancing in a gentle breeze.
Living with Bipolar and ADHD makes for quite an emotionally fuelled existence. Balancing an extremely emotionally charged life frequently feels like painfully playing alone on a seesaw. When I’m able to, I acknowledge these emotional experiences, and then with great effort, attempt to mesh them with inspiration given to me by ti kōuka, combining the two in sculpture. With assistance from my Muse a personification of the Cabbage Tree/ti kōuka emerges.
These creations manifest with the intent to display an emotion that will hopefully let the viewer pause a moment as well. Each sculpture is based around deep personal experiences with heightened emotions, however on completion, they are given a single worded name so the viewer can take it into their own.
