Nejat Kavvas

Auckland-based artist Nejat Kavvas approaches his sculptures with the meticulous method, precision, and patience of a scientist, pushing the boundaries of materials to explore both their possibilities and impossibilities. Whether working with glass, stainless steel, bronze, or other mediums, his creations reflect a seamless fusion of technical expertise and artistic vision.

Kavvas’ work is a testament to his extensive knowledge of chemistry, honed through a multifaceted career as a chemist, inventor, entrepreneur, businessman, and designer. Born in Turkey, his passion for art, art history, and archaeology emerged naturally. Even before earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, Kavvas began collecting ancient glass—an early fascination that would inform his future endeavors. His education in pharmacy provided the chemistry foundation that led to a career in the commercial glass industry, where he created and patented materials to enhance glass surfaces. This expertise ultimately led him to import European glass into New Zealand, where his passion for design and chemistry converged during a glass casting course in Auckland.
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Kavvas’ pursuit of sculpture has taken him around the world, studying at institutions like Artstation in Auckland, Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, California Polytechnic State University, the Glass Furnace School in Istanbul, and Stipglass in the Netherlands. His work is deeply inspired by his explorations of antiques, precious objects, and historical sites, as well as his upbringing in Anatolia—a cultural crossroads between Asia and Europe. Drawing from these rich influences, he channels his joy and inspiration into a diverse range of mediums, expressing his creative journey through his sculptures.
​Nejat Kavvas merges his extensive knowledge of chemistry with his passion for art, history, and archaeology to create sculptures that push the boundaries of materials like glass, stainless steel, and bronze.

AVAILABLE WORKS

Nejat Kavvas
Riba
Cast and Patinated Bronze on Painted Steel Plinth
H350 x W250 x D 250mm (Plinth H200 x W110 x D100mm)
$5700​
Available
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Nejat Kavvas
The Wall 5
kiln cast and cold-worked multicoloured glass on stainless steel armature
H438 x W334 x D54mm 
$5900​
Available
Nejat Kavvas
Zubin
Cast and Patinated Bronze on Stone Plinth
H 397 x W 250 x D 162mm (Plinth H80 x W190 x D190mm)
$5700
Available
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Nejat Kavvas
Adagio
Cast and Patinated Bronze on Composite Plinth
H 520 x W 470 x D 385 mm
​Available

past works

ARTWORKS IN SITU