Secrets of art garden to be revealed
Sculptureum’s 25ha site at Matakana opens this week after 12 years of planning
Amulti-million dollar art garden in Matakana due to open this month will feature the most substantial glass art on display in Australasia. Designed by renowned United States artist Dale Chihuly, the orange chandelier takes pride of place at Sculptureum. It’s a 25ha site developed for 12 years by Auckland-based lawyers Anthony and Sandra Grant, who have spent many more years collecting art to fill three gardens, six galleries, a function centre and a new restaurant and bar, Rothko.
The galleries display contemporary works by the likes of Cezanne, Monet, Chagall and Rodin as well as animal sculptures and contemporary works in plastic, metal and other materials from artists worldwide.
New Zealand artworks are well represented among the 150 exhibits and 400 or so works.
Sculptureum is bordered by the couple’s vineyard so hospitality will be a feature of the operation. The site’s 80-seat restaurant, named after US artist Mark Rothko, is headed by chef Jarrod McGregor who plans dishes which use locally available produce from surrounding supplies.
Anthony Grant, father of Pop-up (left) and a Dale Chihuly glass chandelier are among the sculptures on show at the Sculptureum, soon to open near Matakana. Globe co founder Tobias Grant, says he hopes the work displayed will amuse, inspire and stimulate.
He says works have been placed to encourage a sense of curiosity and delight. It means a serious work might be next to a Nike-wearing alligator chasing frogs up a wall.
Works on display in the gardens start with prehistoric rocks before a winding path takes visitors through a variety of more modern pieces.
Animals also feature, with exotic birds housed in five aviaries dotted across the property, rabbits housed in a grassy arena named Rabbiton and turtles in eye-height tanks.
Sculptureum is scheduled to open at the end of this week, with guests welcome to visit between 9am and 5pm from Thursdays to Mondays. Visit www.sculptureum.co.nz for more information.