Carver is inspired by nature
Michael Angelo took his name after a near-death experience in 1978.
He had been slowly poisoned working with chemicals and solvents, and on holiday in Australia he was admitted to hospital.
Michael was isolated in an infectious diseases unit and lost half his body weight.
He thought he was not going to make it, but then his room was lit with a bright white light.
“I saw big white wings come into my room and I felt energy passing into me.” The near-death experience gave him his new name — Michael Angelo.
Then 20 years ago in an exhibition in the Coromandel Michael saw large wings and asked if he could put them on.
Michael asked the woman exhibiting if she could make him a pair of wings and for 10 years now Michael has wornthem.
But the wings make people uncomfortable, says this wood carver. People look away, he said.
It’s this life-changing experience that inspires Michael’s art, which he says comes from the “spiritual aspects of nature”.
He says carving is a part of his Ma¯ ori heritage, and it was 18 years ago that he first picked up a mallet and chisel and started carving.
“I watched Tony Kapua carving at Ohinemutu ¯ and he asked me if I would like a go. When I finished he asked me how I did it because he spent months teaching his students to do what I did in a short time.”
Michael now carves in his unique style inspired by playing among the trees in his childhood.
“For many years I was a gardener, so trees, birds, bees and flowers also inspire my work.”
■ Michael Angelo art, 315a Broadway, corner Martin St, 10am-4pm daily until December 30. Closed Monday and Tuesday.