Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Poweliphanta Fiordlandica began with an image that appeared unexpectedly in my imagination, a vision of a Powelliphanta giant land snail carrying an entire world upon its shell.
Although large compared to many snails, the real Poweliphanta Fiordlandica is still a small and often hidden inhabitant of Fiordland’s forests. I wanted to play with that contrast of scale: to magnify this remarkable creature, not simply in size, but in the importance of the world it represents.
In this imagined scene, the snail’s shell becomes a living ecosystem of its own, carrying the forests, plants, and textures of Fiordland upon its back. The artwork explores the idea that even the smallest creatures are connected to vast and intricate worlds, each one playing a role within the greater landscape.
This drawing is my third attempt at capturing an image that first existed behind my eyes. With every version, I move closer to that original vision while continuing to discover new details and possibilities. Perhaps the exact image I imagine will always remain just beyond reach, but the process of translating that invisible world into ink is where the artwork comes alive.
Created from an original black-and-white drawing, Poweliphanta Fiordlandica combines detailed observation of a real Fiordland species with surreal imagination, inviting the viewer to slow down and discover a different perspective on the natural world.
Size: 35cm x 42cm (plus a generous white border for framing flexibility)
Printed using archival pigment inks on premium fine art paper to preserve the intricate details and longevity of the original drawing.
Each print is individually signed by the artist and carefully packaged for safe delivery.
Poweliphanta Fiordlandica began with an image that appeared unexpectedly in my imagination, a vision of a Powelliphanta giant land snail carrying an entire world upon its shell.
Although large compared to many snails, the real Poweliphanta Fiordlandica is still a small and often hidden inhabitant of Fiordland’s forests. I wanted to play with that contrast of scale: to magnify this remarkable creature, not simply in size, but in the importance of the world it represents.
In this imagined scene, the snail’s shell becomes a living ecosystem of its own, carrying the forests, plants, and textures of Fiordland upon its back. The artwork explores the idea that even the smallest creatures are connected to vast and intricate worlds, each one playing a role within the greater landscape.
This drawing is my third attempt at capturing an image that first existed behind my eyes. With every version, I move closer to that original vision while continuing to discover new details and possibilities. Perhaps the exact image I imagine will always remain just beyond reach, but the process of translating that invisible world into ink is where the artwork comes alive.
Created from an original black-and-white drawing, Poweliphanta Fiordlandica combines detailed observation of a real Fiordland species with surreal imagination, inviting the viewer to slow down and discover a different perspective on the natural world.
Size: 35cm x 42cm (plus a generous white border for framing flexibility)
Printed using archival pigment inks on premium fine art paper to preserve the intricate details and longevity of the original drawing.
Each print is individually signed by the artist and carefully packaged for safe delivery.
