Craig Rowlands was born in New Plymouth, beneath the influence of Mt Taranaki on New Zealand’s North Island. His journey eventually brought him to the far South Coast of NSW.

Craig has always been interested in making things, but perhaps more importantly, in why people make things. Tools, furniture, jewellery, clothing, deities and the way different cultures bury and celebrate their dead all interest him. The object itself is only part of the story.

He studied at the National Art School as a mature-aged student, but after completing the foundation courses decided that funding a Bachelor of Fine Art himself was a little too ambitious. Instead, he went off to study and create independently.

He is also reluctant to call himself a sculptor.

‘“We are not nouns; we are verbs,” a phrase used by Stephen Fry, resonates with me,’ Craig said. ‘I prefer to say I sculpt rather than I’m a sculptor – the doing is often more important than the outcome.’

That doing has led to a friendship and creative partnership with local sculptor Ross Cameron of Studio 15 at Tanja. The pair met at Sculpture Bermagui in 2024.

‘Ross had all the knowledge and all the gear to cast bronze and I had the desire,’ Craig said. ‘Now I still have the desire, some of the knowledge, a little bit of the gear and a bloody good friend.’

Craig was recently awarded the Emerging Artist at Sculpture in the Vineyards at the Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival. Judged by a highly credentialled panel, he said the recognition made him think he ‘might just be on the right track’.

Mane & Tales Studio is at Shop 2/3 Wallaga Street, Bermagui. The exhibition, Weathered – Sculptural Works by Craig Rowlands, runs from Sunday, 4 October to Friday, 13 November.

Join us at the opening on Sunday, 4 October from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm.

Elise Idiens