Sculptor Jeff Thomson presents a corrugated iron trophy to the winner of the 2024 Kaipara River paper boat race, Kiaan Misha (aged 4) with an origami design Photo: Yvonne Alexander
Jeff Thomson, one of Aotearoa’s senior professional sculptors, is best known for doing absolutely everything that’s possible with corrugated iron. His corrugated iron Holden sits in the Te Papa collection.
He and his partner, artist Shona Cameron, live in a corrugated iron shed home/workshop in Helensville, out west of Tāmaki Mākaurau Auckland.
Thomson is so dedicated to the contemporary culture of his hometown, he’s now helping out running the local community art gallery.
Thomson and Cameron are one of a group of artists who have an open studio trail the third Sunday of every month, and in October they held an annual festival, Arts in the Ville. The festival even included a race down the Kaipara River of small paper boats.
Thomson says Helensville is also home to lots of musicians and associated music events, not to mention TV and film crews being regular visitors.
He joined Culture 101 for our weekly Regional Wrap.
Kaipara River Paper Boat Race 2024 underway Photo: Jeff Thomson
