Sculpting a legacy
Tai Meuli got into sculpting after killing two people in a crash.
He was 24 and after spending three days at Raglan’s Strawberry Fields festival fell asleep driving a car and killed two people after colliding head-on with a motorcycle near Huntly.
‘‘The hardest thing I ever had to do in my life was confront their whole entire family.
‘‘It was an accident, I fell asleep, and the people whose lives I took were sculptors.
‘‘And then I became a sculptor – to carry their legacy on.’’
Since then Meuli has been involved in 60 symposiums and has started his own, which is not only about carving but rather charity and bringing men together to talk – because ‘‘everyone has stories’’.
Meuli said the men all had a story, or a struggle, and the symposium was a place they could feel safe to talk.
‘‘We have to support the men.’’ Meuli said he’d had some dark times in his life but knows he’s not alone now.
‘‘I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs and pains and trials and tribulations to get to the place I am.
‘‘I’ve been alone all my life, now I’ve got a family of these beautiful artists.
‘‘I get to hang out with the most intelligent, crazy, beautiful, loving people you could possibly be around.’’
The Oro Haaruru sculpting event is all go at Meuli’s home in Midhirst, with artists from all over the country taking part.
There are 30 artists involved in the symposium – the oldest 76 and the youngest 24. Only two are women.
‘‘We’re not against women in any way, the women are fine,’’ Meuli said. ‘‘Sometimes men are good for men and wahine are good for wahine.’’
The event supports local schools, charities and national organisations and once the carvings are complete they will be sold and profits split.
The money will mostly go to the Taranaki Suicide Prevention Mobile Unit and Starship Hospital.
Five artists are putting 100 per cent of their profits towards charity, others splitting profits to give at least 25 per cent to charity.
For Meuli, the symposium means he gets to do what he loves and do something good.
‘‘My talents and passions are in my hands.
‘‘I’ve taught thousands of people sculpture and art.’’
If you’re interested in seeing the pieces call in to 614 Salisbury Rd, Midhirst, between 10am-4pm daily. Sculptors will be at work until October 20 with the art on display for two months.