Dave Ashburn is a heavy diesel mechanic and accidental artist. He works in the medium of carving, specifically the hand-carving of builders pencil leads. Each letter is individually carved from the pencil’s lead using a small craft knife. His love of carving and learning led him to complete a Diploma in Māori Visual Art, Whakairo in 2018.

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There are two main elements to Dave’s art that are important to him; the use of builders’ pencils and the sayings that are depicted. He uses a mix of new and used pencils, preferring the used ones that have had a previous life with a craftsman; they have a story of their own.

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Dave chooses clever sayings that have a confronting element of truth, that make people stop and think. He also welcomes commission pieces.

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He creates from home in Winton, where he lives with his wife and two children.