Woodturner Bob Stirk is celebrating after taking first place in the Embellished Bowls/Platters category of the National Association of Woodturners of New Zealand’s Art of Wood competition.

Stirk entered just one piece in the online competition, a birch bowl titled Liquid Bloom 3, and came away with the top award.

The bowl features intricate embellishment on its interior, a more challenging technique than decorating the outside.

Stirk tried the technique on earlier bowls, but not as successfully.

“This was my third attempt,” he said.

Carved from a birch tree brought down in a storm in May, the bowl retains its natural bark around the rim, creating what is known as a live edge.

“It is still living; it’s still got the bark on it,” Stirk said.

The bowl also features carved feet that lift it from the surface, adding another distinctive element to the design.

The winning piece went on to feature in an exhibition of award-winning works from the competition in Tauranga.

The competition attracted almost 600 entries across a range of categories, from furniture to woodturning, with entries judged by New Zealand and international judges.

Stirk has been woodturning for about eight years and continues to experiment with the craft.

A former boatbuilder and window-frame maker, he is also an award-winning furniture maker.

His workshop, and his home, are filled with artistic bowls and vases featuring carved patterns and decorative techniques such as pyrography.

He exhibits and sells his work at markets and also makes coffins to order. Despite his experience, Stirk said he was still learning and trying new approaches.

He also shares his skills as a tutor with a Arts and Crafts Society’s woodturning group, which meets from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesdays at the Art House, on the corner of McAlister and Short streets.

“Anybody’s welcome to come along and have a look and see and join,” he said.