This body of work showcases kauri gum across five categories — celestial, coastal, riverine, forested, and domestic. Together, the categories form an arc that takes the story of kauri gum from the mythic to the personal, from its ecosystem to the cosmos.

Each category functions as a chapter in the story:

Celestial — Kauri gum photographed against a black void, appearing as stars and galaxies. These images suggest ‘origins’, and the sense that the pieces predate our celestial home.

Sea Views — Pieces placed on the rocky Kaikōura coast, tying the mythical “whale tears” narrative to the site of the last whale killed by humans. These works carry grief, mythology, and beauty and loss.

River Views — Kauri gum beside the Wakamarina River, a site of Māori significance and gold‑rush history. The inclusion of gold pans and nuggets links ecological value, extraction, and changing culture.

Back Yard — Nature at its most majestic, contrasted with everyday objects — gumboots, hats, axes — grounding an ancient wonder in contemporary life.

Bush Walk — Sunlight filtering through forest canopy onto gum among moss, ferns, and decaying wood. These images return the pieces to their ecological home."