Faraway Tree Sculpture

What whispers do the Faraway Tree and the Seat of Life share at Sanders Reserve? Come closer, and you might just hear them. The Faraway Tree isn’t just any tree. It’s a story carved in wood, a history etched into its very being by artist Phil Bonham. It’s a namesake of Enid Blyton’s magical world, a place where imagination takes flight. But our story doesn’t end there. In 2015, another macrocarpa from the same patch of earth fell. This wasn’t an end, but a transformation. From this fallen giant, Phil Bonham carved the Seat of Life. This isn’t just a place to rest your weary bones. It’s an interactive sculpture, a playground for the imagination. It’s a place where children can climb, crawl, and dream up fantastical games. The Seat of Life’s creation was an unfolding story. As Phil carved, figures and creatures emerged from the wood, unplanned and unexpected, like magic. A pregnant tree nymph, a guardian of life’s force, watches over the seat. Bird heads, a tribute to the native takahe, adorn the wood, whispering, “He mauri to nga manu, he mauri to nga rakau, he mauri to gna tangata,” – “There is life force in the birds, the trees, and the people.” Even after its installation next to the Faraway Tree, the Seat of Life continued to evolve. Basalt rocks anchor it to the earth, while matting and a timber edge provide comfort and finish. The Faraway Tree and the Seat of Life, two creations born from the same soil, now stand together, whispering tales of history, nature, and the power of imagination. They invite you to sit, to play, and to listen to the stories they have to tell.