Giant sculpture show the most ambitious yet
Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest outdoor art show is back after a Covid hiatus and features the most exhibits and artists ever involved.
NZ Sculpture OnShore, at the Operetu, Fort Takapuna clifftop park, has 130 works by 100 artists.
Exhibition curator Sally Lush says the range in this year’s exhibition is remarkable, with more pieces to enjoy or buy than in past shows.
“NZ Sculpture Onshore is a snapshot of contemporary New Zealand artwork,” said Lush. “Visitors can expect to be blown away by the size, scope and splendour of the artworks presented this year.”
Organisers of the biennial exhibition, first held in 1996, expect to attract 20,000 visitors between November 3 and 19. All works on display are for sale to raise money for Women’s Refuge.
The event has raised more than $2 million for survivors of domestic violence over the years.
“For a quarter of a century this event has pulled together an extraordinary range of art,” said Women’s Refuge chief Dr Ang Jury.
“It’s a really fun visitor experience and we just can’t thank Friends of Women’s Refuge Trust enough for the fantastic event they run.” A cornerstone work,
by social practice artists Bernie Harfleet and Turtle Sarten, is installed in the Fort’s engine room and tunnels and is one of those built at the venue. The confronting piece is a metaphor for the experience of women fleeing domestic violence and finding refuge.
It invites viewers to write messages of hope and encouragement to those who have escaped and who are rebuilding their lives.
Also included in this year’s exhibition are Jamie Thomas’ 2.6m-high version of New Zealand racehorse Phar Lap made of horseshoes, and a koru-infused seat made of Lake Tarawera rhyolite stone by Sherie Kemp. There are also two works from Kemp’s partner, master carver Joe Kemp (Ngai Tahu, Ngapuhi and Te Arawa ki Ngati Makino), including a piece influenced by Bob Marley’s song Get Up Stand Up called Tama Tu Tama Ora (Stand Up for Your Rights), while Pop Bang Boom! by Lang Ea calls for visitors to help in its creation by making red pom poms that cover one of the gun emplacements.
● NZ Sculpture Onshore is open 10am to 5pm (closed Mondays) until November 19 with tickets from nzsculptureonshore.co.nz