Jim Wheeler is a veteran NZ sculptor living in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. Jim generally works in cast metals such as bronze, aluminium and iron but also uses concrete, ceramics, plastics, wood, stone and fabric- whatever is appropriate to express his ideas.His current work is a blend of botany, biology, and beauty. His interest in plants and how plant communities evolve informs his sculptural practice.Jim has been exhibiting sculpture and drawings since 1979 with eight solo exhibitions and many group shows here and overseas, and is work is held in Museums and galleries in NZ and around the world. In 1989 he became a full time sculptor.I loved meeting Jim and his wife Bunny today and welcoming them back to Muriwai, the beach that Jim came to on his very first day in NZ 41 years ago!Jim speaks passionately about his 43 year career as a sculptor, the incredibly involved process of bronze sculpture and his fascination for the mange mange fern, the Puriri leaf and the Tanekaha and how the NZ forest and all that lies within inspires so much of his work.I loved meeting Jim and his wife Bunny today and welcoming them back to Muriwai, the beach that Jim came to on his very first day in NZ 41 years ago! Jim speaks passionately about his 43 year career as a sculptor, the incredibly involved process of bronze sculpture and his fascination for the mange mange fern, the Puriri leaf and the Tanekaha and how the NZ forest and all that lies within inspires so much of his work.His latest exhibition Following Nature is showing at Artis Gallery from 2-22 August 2022. About your host: https://www.instagram.com/creative_matters/Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years teaching in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers:https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-developmentVisual art creative workshops and experiences for children:https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-childrenPublic art projects and creative opportunities  in the communityhttps://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-communitiesNgā mihi, thanks for listening!See the artist's work on our blog https://www.creativematters.co.nz/blog You can follow us for updates on https://www.instagram.com/creativematterspodcast/ Please rate and review our show to help others find us https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/creative-matters/id1561034043