Contemporary Wave Wall Sculpture Inspired by Auckland's rugged west coast, Undertow explores the invisible forces that shape our lives. Suspended within a handcrafted floating frame, thousands of black drinking straws create a sculptural wave that shifts with changing light, inviting us to pause, look again and discover beauty beneath the surface.
About This Artwork
Some places stay with us long after we've left them.
For me, Piha is one of those places.
Growing up in West Auckland, we were always told the same thing.
"Don't swim there. It's too dangerous."
For many Aucklanders, those waves carry more than beauty. They carry memories, quiet respect, and stories of lives forever changed.
Standing on the black sand, it's impossible not to be captivated by the ocean. The waves are wild, mesmerising and endlessly inviting. Yet beneath their beauty lies an invisible force that commands respect.
The undertow.
You can't always see it.
But it can change everything.
That memory became Undertow.
Created through my practice of Circular Elevation, thousands of black drinking straws surrender their familiar identity to become a sculptural wave suspended between beauty and warning, stillness and movement.
The work isn't really about the ocean.
It's about the unseen forces that shape our lives.
The conversations that stay with us.
The people we never forget.
The quiet moments that alter our direction before we even realise they have.
As the light changes throughout the day, so too does the sculpture. Shadows deepen, reflections shift and new details emerge, rewarding curiosity every time it is viewed.
Perhaps learning to truly see isn't about looking harder.
It's about recognising the quiet forces that have been shaping us all along.
Presentation
Professionally presented within a handcrafted floating timber frame, allowing the sculptural form to appear suspended from the wall. The changing light and shadow become part of the artwork itself, creating a different experience throughout the day.
Materials
Thousands of storied black drinking straws, resin, handcrafted floating timber frame and professional hanging system.
Dimensions
(Insert final dimensions.)
Price
NZ$3,000
86 cm x 68 cm
 
Perfect Placement
Undertow belongs in spaces where thoughtful design, quiet confidence and contemporary architecture come together.
Its sculptural form and restrained monochromatic palette make it particularly suited to:
Architectural homes
Luxury coastal residences
Contemporary living rooms
Designer interiors
Statement entranceways
Executive offices
Boutique hotels
Hospitality spaces
Boardrooms
Collector homes
Curated commercial interiors
Whether viewed in natural light or under carefully considered gallery lighting, Undertow continually reveals new depth, movement and atmosphere.
 
Collector Information
Undertow is an original one-of-one sculptural artwork by acclaimed New Zealand artist Lisa Watkins.
Created through her distinctive practice of Circular Elevation, the work explores memory, respect, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. Rather than celebrating materials for their previous purpose, Undertow invites collectors to discover the enduring worth, beauty and possibility that have always existed beneath the surface.
 
Every original artwork is personally signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Collect with Confidence
Original one-of-one artwork by Lisa Watkins.
Signed Certificate of Authenticity included.
Secure online purchasing available.
Art Leasing available throughout New Zealand.
International collectors can purchase selected artworks through my verified Saatchi Art profile, with secure checkout, worldwide shipping and insurance.
 
International Collectors
International collectors are welcome to purchase selected original artworks through my verified Saatchi Art profile.
 
Saatchi Art provides secure international checkout, worldwide shipping, professional packaging, insurance and customs support, making it simple to collect original MyShinyMadness artworks from anywhere in the world.
 
View my verified Saatchi Art collection →
https://www.saatchiart.com/en-nz/lisawatkins
Buy Direct
Purchase Undertow directly through MyShinyMadness for personal service, local support and direct communication with the artist.
Art Leasing
Available to purchase now, or enquire about Art Leasing for residential, corporate and commercial spaces throughout New Zealand.