Oliver Stretton-Pow grew up surrounded by antiques and #8 wire contraptions in the Stone Store in Kerikeri, where his parents were the last proprietors. He produced his first sculptures in the blacksmiths forge behind the Stone Store tea-rooms at the age of 14.

Stretton-Pow graduated from Art School in Perth in 1992 then worked in Europe and the Middle East for 4 years as an ornament specialist in Israel. He has also been a metalwork technician, foundry technician and a props maker for Peter Jackson’s production of ‘The Hobbit’.

Stretton-Pow held his first solo exhibition in 2002 and completed his MFA at Elam in 2004.

In 2005 he relocated his studio to Waiheke Island, since then he has had regular solo exhibitions and contributed to many significant indoor and outdoor group shows including NZSoS, Shapeshifter and Sculpture in the Gardens. Stretton-Pow also spent time in Australia as an artist in residence, and has exhibited at SWELL sculpture festival and Sculpture by the Sea.

Stretton-Pow lives and works on Waiheke Island from his studio and art foundry, creating private commissions and bespoke architectural elements.