I was born and bred in Dunedin, New Zealand, and moved to the West Coast in 2017 to learn to carve stone.

When I began working with stone, I quickly discovered why Pounamu is so revered. Pounamu, also known as jade or nephrite, is found in a variation of stunning colours and characters, while its unique structure allows it to hold incredible detail. I strive to create carvings to a high standard using quality jade from New Zealand and around the world. I also enjoy playing with other beautiful stone I can get my hands on, such as petrified wood and jadeite.

My passion is in realism and detail. My perfectionist nature can slow me down, but when I sit down and start, I love getting lost in the process of carving. I imagine carving being like archeology, digging up fossils; as I remove stone bit by bit, the form begins to reveal itself, resembling something of the final piece but still covered in thick layers of clay. From there, by refining and cleaning, what is hidden underneath becomes clear.

I feel that working with stone connects me to the heart of human creativity. Working with stone was a part of the earliest creative, innovative, and artistic endeavors, going back to peoples thousands and perhaps even millions of years ago. Historically, stone was used for a wide array of functions, but now it is mainly enjoyed aesthetically. Yet the process of working with and wearing stone holds this rich history and connects us to our ancestors. Admittedly, this makes much of my work practically useless, but symbolically priceless.

Thank you for viewing my work. There are many brilliant, talented stone carvers around New Zealand; when you support us, you support local.

Nikita Jean Stevenson