chris meder - de novo gallery

chris meder is a dunedin based sculpture artist who uses rusty old components of mechanical devices to create his works. he usually uses fairly identifyable parts of trains, cars, lawn mowers, rock crushers etc to depict various animals. in this exhibition he focussed on native birds of new zealand, and although he didn't have his mighty moas showcased, he did have some awesome peices displayed...


i found it very compelling how meder creates such a sense of grace and beauty with his samples of robust, cumbersome metal. he uses subtle application of colour and polishing techniques to give his animals more character whilst retaining some of the original nature of his materials in the works.


meder is obviously a skilled craftsman. his welding is tidy and strong, and it impresses me how steady the birds are, given the weight. to me, this weight impresses the idea of substance. ..something homey and comforting.


i stopped in to his workshop while i was in dunedin......recently but he was out. even this was a funky, rustic building. and i had heard from the assistant at de novo that he has cast iron kelpies guarding his ute - this i would love to have seen;

the very top subject is my favourite. the beady eye, the big red beak and a comical stature. i see something really friendly and relateable in this takahe. if i had a spare $1950 i'd buy it i think. -it is very funny how this junk has been rearranged and turned into gold!!