Return to the Cape

The stark, imposing figure of the Cape Egmont Lighthouse stands almost surreal against the tranquil rural landscape. I like to breathe fictional personalities into inanimate objects, enhancing their character by introducing elements of drama or intensifying their environment.

The Cape Egmont Lighthouse, with its tumultuous beginnings, was initially erected on Mana Island, Kapiti. It allegedly caused a few shipwrecks rather than preventing them due to confusion with the nearby Pencarrow Lighthouse. It wasn’t until it was relocated to its perfect vantage point on the Taranaki Coast that it found its true purpose, standing tall and proud, guiding ships safely around the coast. I like to envision the lighthouse’s sense of pride and character as if it might come to life in a strange, animated reality.