Finding form in Wānaka

Justin Klar with one of his largest works on display at the Wānaka A&P Show.

What started as a way to fill an empty driveway has quietly turned into something much bigger for Wānaka-based sculptor Justin Klar.

The German-born artist, who now calls Central Otago home, only began working with metal just over a year ago. At the time, there was no grand plan.

“My driveway was looking boring, and it just needed something,” he says.

What came next wasn’t expected. Neighbours noticed. They liked what they saw. Word spread. And just like that, sculpture began to take over.

Klar had originally been heading in a different direction, working towards starting a cedar hot tub business.

That idea was gaining traction, but the pull of sculpture proved stronger.

“That wasn’t exactly how I planned it, but that’s part of who I am,” he says.

“My mind is like a storm -thousands of ideas, a lot of them impulsive, born from a vision that just has to be turned into reality.”

That mix of instinct and structure sits at the core of his work. With a background in computer science, Klar approaches sculpture with a highly analytical mindset.

“I have a very scientific, rational way of thinking. Everything in life can be broken down into simple patterns.”

It’s a philosophy that carries through to his process. What might appear complex on the surface is, to him, a series of repeatable forms.

“Making a huge pinecone might look challenging at first, but really it’s just three different size petals on a tapered cone.”

That ability to simplify is what allows him to take on increasingly ambitious pieces, many of them inspired by the natural world.

Nature is where Klar feels most grounded, and it’s reflected in his work.

“Whenever I’m out surrounded by nature, away from anything man-made, I feel fulfilled and calm. When it comes to sculptures I try to stay as close to nature as possible. We don’t need to make it complicated, it’s already just beautiful.”

Wildlife is a recurring theme, with Klar drawn to strong, recognisable forms found in nature.

That thinking also informs his choice of materials. Klar works primarily with Corten steel, known for its weathered, rust-like finish.

“It just blends in so nicely with the environment. Harmony is important to me.”

While he also carves wood, metal has become his preferred medium.

“Once you take off too much wood, it’s really hard to put it back together. Metal is quite forgiving. And most pieces will outlast me, with no maintenance needed. I like that.”

Despite the technical side of his work, Klar describes his creative process as anything but rigid.

“It’s quite an impulsive process. I just get an idea, a thought, a vision. But the vision only ever shows me the end result, never the process.”

From there, he works backwards, using CAD software to map out the design before cutting and building each piece.

“Often while I’m finishing a project I get five more new ideas for improving the next one. It never ends.”

That constant flow of ideas is matched by a deep appreciation for the life he has built in New Zealand - a place he never originally intended to stay.

“I just came over for a holiday, never planned to stay.”

What changed was not just the landscape, but the people.

“I’m all in for the little things in life: a home-cooked meal and a good night’s sleep. The kindness of people, the compassion for strangers, the sense of community.”

He credits much of his start in Wānaka to that generosity.

“A man called Rudi let me live on his land so I could save up and start out. He didn’t want any money in return. Just a handshake and a word.”

Others in the community helped as well, gifting tools and equipment to get him going.

“When I was younger, I was angry about not having family support, but now experiencing so much love from strangers is one of the nicest feelings.”

It’s a perspective that shapes not just how he lives, but why he creates.

For Klar, the most rewarding part of sculpture isn’t the build itself, but the reaction.

“Seeing people getting excited, feeling positive emotions, knowing I’ve made a positive effect on somebody’s life.”

What looks complex is, to Klar, a series of simple patterns — this oversized pinecone built from repeated steel forms.

Looking ahead, he’s returning to where his ideas first began -with a focus on native birds.

“When I first started out, I wanted to focus on native birds. I got terribly sidetracked, but now my full attention goes back to that.”

There is a bigger long term goal too - to help people make sculptures themselves.

“There is not much guidance out there, and it has brought so much joy to my life. I would love to help others find something similar in theirs.”

Like much of his journey so far, it’s not a straight line. But that, it seems, is exactly the point.