a world of wonder in matakana

Matakana's Sculptureum is an art, gardens, food and wine experience by husband and wife team Anthony and Sandra Grant. It currently displays around 650 artworks that have been collected over 20 years. We asked Anthony about the creation of Sculptureum.

How did the idea for Sculptureum originate?

I wanted to create a place that shows how many forms of art can be fun and interesting. I have found a lot of people are disillusioned with traditional art galleries and want to show them art can enrich their lives in ways they had not realised.

Why is it called Sculptureum?

The name Sculptureum is a blend of 2 words – “sculpture” and “museum”. That is because all but a handful of works on display are three dimensional. There are also examples of nature as art in exotic birds and huge rabbits.

What can visitors expect to see and do?

There are 6 indoor Art Galleries and 3 Gardens – each area has a mix of local and international artworks and sculptures. Guests can enjoy dining at our restaurant Rothko, or visit our cellar door to sample a selection of Sculptureum’s own wines.

What was important to you when designing Sculptureum?

I wanted to create a diverse experience with different forms of art in different settings. There are five “intellectual areas” in the gardens which display quotes on different themes: gardens, inspiration, music, art, and the animals.

What do you hope visitors will take away from Sculptureum?

If people leave thinking that life is a little better for having seen the gardens and galleries, I will be happy.

Anthony’s weekends are usually spent at Sculptureum where he is willing to give background information about the art and assist visitors to gain a fuller understanding of the origin of works and why he has bought them.