Sculptors pass on skills
See artists at work
Passing down skills and giving back is the aim of a Midhirst based art symposium which features some of New Zealand’s best carvers and sculptors.
Oro Haaruru is a live sculpting event which started on Monday and runs until October 20 and is accommodating around 30 New Zealand artists who work in a range of mediums from stone, marble, metal and wood.
The public are able visit any day between 10am and
4pm to watch the creations come alive at the hands of the highly skilled artisans. Works will be exhibited and for sale from October 20 to December
20, with a percentage of the profits of sale being given to Taranaki Suicide Prevention Mobile Unit and some sculptures donated to Starship Hospital.
Event host and artist Tai Meuli says the sculptors are from many walks of life and are a range of ages and skill sets including blacksmiths, master carvers and stone sculptors.
Tai — who works in stone, wood and steel and has been creating for 25 years — says the sculptors and carvers all live and breathe the craft and are at the top of their game.
“It’s absolutely amazing because the concept is to bring like minded people together — older people to pass their skills on to the younger people to keep it alive.
“It’s like a wanaga — a learning place of eccentric artists.”
As part of the event, 80 primary and intermediate schools from Mokau to Waverley have been asked to enter a competition to create a sculpture design.
The two winners will have their sculpture designs brought to life and turned into a $10,000 masterpiece over the course of 10 weeks.
A sculpture worth $10,000 will also be donated to Midhirst School.
■ Sculptors will be working until October 20 at 614 Salisbury Rd, Midhirst. The symposium exhibition opens on October 21 and runs until December 20. The public can visit between 10am and 4pm.
‘It’s absolutely amazing because the concept is to bring like minded people together — older people to pass their skills on to the younger people to alive.’ keep it TAI MEULI