West artist’s sculpture selected
A Titirangi resident is one of 34 people from all over New Zealand whose sculpture is going to be displayed as part of the 2017 Headland Sculpture on the Gulf.
Architect Semisi Potauaine made it through a tough threephase selection process, which started with 250 entries - a record high for the outdoor sculpture exhibition.
His concept is titled Manuesina, which is a Tongan word meaning white bird.
‘‘Manu means a being or a thing and sina means white,’’ he says.
The architect says he has used the bird as a symbol of global spirit.
Potauaine’s inspiration was intricate Tongan patterns called kupesi, which are highly symmetrical.
It will be installed at Waiheke next year and will be open to the public.
Potential buyers will also have a chance to look at the sculpture.
‘‘I would love for someone to buy it and bring it back to west Auckland.
‘‘I mean this is where most of the inspiration for the work came from.
‘‘Ideally, it would be best suited for a place like Piha.
‘‘There isn’t a tourist who comes to our city who leaves without visiting the beaches in the west, especially Piha.’’
He has chosen white to symbolise ‘‘purity and a global spirit’’.
‘‘White also represents the colour of the foam that forms when the sea meets the land.’’
Manuesina, he says, is his contemporary interpretation of the western concept of an angel.
He says the geometrical nature of the sculpture makes it easy on the eye.
‘‘The mind looks for patterns and symmetry so I think the design I have chosen will help people grasp the idea.’’
The top half of his sculpture gives the impression of a bird plunging, whilst the bottom gives the appearance of a bird taking flight.
The sculpture will be constructed using an environmentally friendly engineered polymer and will weigh 4.5 tonnes when complete.
It will be approximately 18 metres high.
The total cost to complete the project will be upwards of $60,000.
Headland Sculpture on the Gulf will cover a two kilometre stretch on Waiheke Island and be open to the public from February 3, 2017.