Birdwoods Story

Birdwoods Gallery was established by Bruce and Louise Stobart in January 2005 following their move to New Zealand from Zimbabwe in 2004.

The Havelock North gallery’s name originated in Zimbabwe where Birdwoods Metal Sculpture was established by Louise in 1991, using her designs to create a wide range of unique metal sculptures made from recycled 40 gallon oil drums.  The sculpture was a companion enterprise to their farm which Bruce had established as a highly successful mixed cropping and livestock operation employing 60 families.  As the metal sculpture business grew, it provided employment for an additional 30 families.  All these families were part of a farm village where primary health care and community facilities were provided by Bruce and Louise.

In July 2003 Bruce, Louise and their three children were forcibly evicted from their farm without compensation.  In the years since, the farm has produced no crops and lies derelict and while Bruce and Louise did provide for their workers when they left, the farm labourers remain jobless and their future is incredibly bleak.

Fortunately, the metal sculpture enterprise has managed to continue in Zimbabwe with the Birdwoods craftsmen and their families relocated to Harare where they continue to produce Louise’s designs in limited numbers.