Jim Wheeler grew up in a small North Carolina town, US. He studied Art and Biology at University of North Carolina, Greensboro graduating with a BA in Studio Art (cum laude). A two-year renaissance style apprenticeship (Johnson Atelier, Princeton, NJ) in the techniques of sculpture provided him with the skills to immigrate to New Zealand in 1981 where he helped set up Art Works Studio. Jim has been full-time sculpting since 1989. Alongside this, he helped re-establish bronze casting in New Zealand, has held positions such as lecturing in sculpture at MIT and a Lord of the Rings department head. 

This is Jim's fifth Sculpture in the Gardens. He brings together his two passions of plants and art, flavouring his sculptures with gentle protest – highlighting the plight of endangered species and habitat loss – and emphasising the role of mutual support driving adaptation within plant communities. 

So befitting are Jim’s messages to the botanic garden setting, that his large sculpture Object of Devotion permanently adorns the wall of the Auckland Botanic Gardens Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre.  

For more info about Jim:
www.jimwheelersculptor.co.nz