Carving - Lynn Dunn

'St Paul's'

1983

Carving

Lynn Dunn (Collegian, Williams House 1966 - 68) was a master carver. His style involved working with a piece of wood and using its flaws.

Lynn was commissioned by former Headmaster MG Lawrence in 1983 to create a piece of art for the St Paul's administration block.

Carved from a piece of native Kauri, the final piece depicts the formation and life of St Paul's Collegiate School. When the administration block underwent renovations in 2010 Lynn returned to the school to relocate his carving to the Chapel of Christ the King.

Starting at the bottom, the carving shows the main entrance into the school with oak trees on either sidein reference to 'Great Oaks Farm', the land on which the school was built. The wings on the centre spiral represent the founders of the school and their place at the heart of St Paul's.

Moving upwards, the sun symbolises the beginning of the building project while radiating rays represent the path the school took to completion. Trout, a symbol of natural life, are featured swimming from the base of the Tiho stag head. The mountains around Tihoi are seen in the background beside the head of the school's namesake, Saint Paul. Finally, the full moon located at the top left represents the fullness and completion of the buildings of St Paul's.

Location: Chapel of Christ the King (Hamilton Campus)