New Zealand’s flora is a unique, dinosaur-era treasure among world ecosystems. This leaf of a Fierce Lancewood is a guardian talisman within a garden setting focusing attention on preserving our native forests. - Jim Wheeler
Jim was born in a small town in North Carolina.
In 1981 he immigrated to New Zealand to help set up Art Works sculpture foundry after meeting David Reid & in 1989 took the scary step of working full time at making sculpture, teaching workshops, props-making, and jewellery design, tutoring in sculpture at Manukau Institute of Technology (1995-6) and establishing the Rock and Foam Department for The Lord of the Rings in Wellington.
Jim has been exhibiting sculpture and drawings since 1979 with eight solo and many group shows here and overseas. His work is held in The British Museum, London; The Weatherspoon Art Museum, USA; The Auckland Museum; The James Wallace Trust, The Auckland Botanic Gardens and Zealandia, Mahurangi.
Jim is a Member of Medallic Artists New Zealand; The Auckland Drawing Group, NZ Artist’s Alliance, Federation Internationale de la Medaille, (Paris); and Tri-State Sculptors (USA), and The International Sculpture Centre (USA).
