During our few months in New Zealand we have discovered a national fondness for sculptures and sculpture parks. Perhaps because it is easier to share your choice of art if it’s on show in your garden or park. And New Zealand is a country that embraces the outdoors!
So the other day I took the ferry to Devonport, a speedy 20 minute ride across the sea, to visit the 10th NZ Sculpture Onshore exhibition at the Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve site.
NZ Sculpture OnShore is a biennial exhibition of contemporary New Zealand sculptural work. The event raises funds to support NZ Women’s Refuges. Since 1995 ten outdoor sculpture exhibitions have been held and over $1.34 million has been raised for NZ Women’s Refuges.
Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve’s commanding position at the head of the Rangitoto Channel in the Hauraki Gulf has made it an important lookout and defence site for hundreds of years, first for early Maori inhabitants and later for European settlers.
Worthy winner of the Fisher Fund’s People’s Choice awards was the striking piece made from driftwood by Jack Marsden Mayer.
I arrived just in time to have an hour’s guided tour which gave the few of us in the group a good overview of what there was to see.
The scene was set so I set off to explore and take lots of photos, like this gentleman.
There were many moods, so let’s start with cheerful – indeed joyful
(click on photos for details).
Thoughtful and provocative
Birds, beasts and animals
Humanity, which includes some great art by school children who have their own show. There is a good documentary about the Children’s Sculpture Exhibition.
Time to relax before leaving for home…
There was a lot of very good art on show. Most of the works were on sale and I congratulate the organisers, NZ Sculpture Onshore, for such an enjoyable event, for such good causes.
Brett, The Wine Maestro 
Leave a comment