Meet our guest judge 2026

Driftwood & Sand 2026 guest judge:
Jamie Pickernell

We are thrilled to welcome Rotorua artist, Jamie Pickernell as our guest artist and judge for this year’s Driftwood and Sand event. Jamie is no newcomer to Hokitika, having created one of our much-loved art-seats, ‘Nudibranch Recliner’, the quirky orange sea slug on the foreshore. Jamie won WAI’s 2008 Take-a-Seat competition and spent over a week in Hokitika carving the seat from a large macrocarpa log, adorning it with beach stones.

18 years later, the sea-slug seat still sits on the berm but now has a large crack opening in the wood. While in town, Jamie will take a short break from his Driftwood & Sand duties to do some much-needed repairs to the seat.

Jamie is one of few artist blacksmiths working in New Zealand today. A skilled craftsman, he notes that once you have mastered the techniques to bend hot metal, the possibilities are endless. Also fluent in shaping stone and wood, he combines these with forged metal to make sculptural works and unique art furniture. With his can-do attitude, Jamie has created permanent artworks for the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Massey University campus, and in public places including Cambridge, Rotorua, and of course Hokitika.

Jamie’s creations are varied and often playful, including large anthropomorphic animals like rabbits, birds, and sealions; many are inspired by nature - sea slugs, crabs, plants, fish, and there is invariably a social commentary connected to every piece.

Driftwood & Sand is grateful for the support of Creative Communities Scheme to bring this accomplished New Zealand artist to Hokitika for our 2026 event.

The public will have a chance to meet Jamie Pickernell and hear stories about his 27 years of art practice at an artist talk on Thursday 22 January, 7pm at the Old Lodge Theatre. All are welcome, koha entry appreciated.

As guest judge, Jamie will have the unenviable task of selecting the Driftwood & Sand prize- winners from the incredible array of entries on the beach. Prizegiving is at 2pm on Sunday 25 January at Sunset Point.