About
Please note that some of the above works may no longer be available. See our Stockroom for a range of available works or contact us for a detailed inventory of available works by David McCracken.
David McCracken
b. 1963 Auckland
David McCracken began sculpting in his teens, mostly figurative work carved in wood. Returning to Auckland in his early twenties he worked in a variety of jobs including boat building and construction and gained skills using fibre and later steel fabrication and welding.
He became involved in performing arts and in a short time was working full time in the production of sets and props. At this time he began making sculpture using a wide variety of materials. McCracken saw the potential of steel fabrication for producing art from readily available and inexpensive scrap when he could afford little else. He also experimented using a variety of materials including river rocks, synthetic hair and found objects. He furthered his metal fabrication skills to include aluminium, stainless steel and corten steel, and began casting in bronze and stainless steel.
In 2000 he had his first solo exhibition ‘Fabrications’ at the McPherson Gallery and exhibited at the Beecroft outdoor sculpture show, marking the beginning of a series of floating works. In 2001 he was short listed for the Wallace Awards and had a second show ‘H2O2’ at McPherson Gallery as well as some private commissions. Work slowed for a spell after the birth of his third child in 2002 but in 2003 he increased production and is now sculpting full time.
McCracken has exhibited at many outdoor exhibitions including three Sculpture in the Gulfs, winning the People’s Choice award in 2005, and Shapeshifter exhibitions. He has been short listed for the Wallace Awards three times, being an award finalist twice.
2005 Romantic Portraits of Raw Materials, McPherson Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
2001 H202 McPherson Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
2000 Fabrications, McPherson Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
Selected Group Exhibitions
2009/2010 Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens, Auckland Botanic Gardens, New Zealand
2009 Eye for Sculpture, Manukau Festival of the Arts, Auckland, New Zealand
2008 Shapeshifter. Dowse Museum, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
2008 Sculpture on the Shore, Auckland, New Zealand
2007 Sculpture in the Country, Wairarapa, New Zealand
2007 Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
2006 Sculpture in the Gardens, Auckland Botanic Gardens, New Zealand
2006 Wallace Art Awards, Auckland, New Zealand
2006 Shapeshifter, Dowse Museum, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
2005 Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
2004 Wallace Art Awards, Auckland, New Zealand
2003 Shapeshifter, Dowse Museum, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
2003 Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
2001 Wallace Art Awards, Auckland, New Zealand
Selected Bibliography
Daly-Peoples, John, Arts, Sculpture Time in Hamilton, NBR News Exchange, November 26, 2008