Judy Rogers: Steampunk Inclination

As a child Judy was captivated by prolific English writer H.G. Wells and French poet/playwright Jules Verne and it was her love of fantasy that led her to create the Devonport Fairy Tree which has daily visitors of all ages.

She developed a love affair of Victorian old charm elegance and craftsmanship that she incorporated into her costume designs. Her passion for the softness and femininity of haberdashery, feathers and textiles plus a fascination for the intricate masculinity of machinery all played a part in developing her style of art.  It was the ‘yin yang’ of mediums that compelled her to unite the two in a whimsical fashion.

The assemblage of her art has a practical, non-conformity that puts a smile on faces young and old.  The re-invention of her character pieces have a unique, romantic, quirky personality that compels the observer to study the miniature mechanical parts that have been meticulously nailed into place.

Her art is part of the James Wallace Art Trust and she is a popular exhibitor of Devonport’s ‘Sculpture On The Shore’ and other fine art shows in and around Auckland.

She works from her Devonport studio in spurts of creativity that include fossicking for past objects. “I don’t draw or plan out any of my creations, I see the potential within each wooden canvas and go from there allowing the piece to speak to me about its rebirth.”  A piece can often take Judy up to a year to complete depending on availability of materials. “It’s all about finding the past recycled materials that resonate with me and giving them new life.