Sculpture On The Gulf Waiheke 2009
" Art in public spaces has become one of the more exciting and popular areas of contemporary art’s expression. Its revival has led to an enormous growth of interest in outdoor sculpture in New Zealand…
.headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF, is Auckland's iconic temporary sculpture exhibition, set in the stunning coastal scenery of Waiheke Island. Staged for three weeks at the peak of summer, the event caters to Aucklanders’ love of the sea and the beach."
This is part of the Introduction to the 2009 Sculpture on the Gulf by Helen Kedgley, Senior Curator, and one of three Selectors for this year's event.
This year's exhibition follows the format of previous years. In mid 2008 three appointed Selectors chose 26 artists from 110 proposals. The artists were then given six months to create their work , which were then shipped to the Island and installed in time for opening day on 23 January 2009. The Exhibition continues for three weeks.
TopMark became involved with this exhibition, by sponsoring Louise Palmer, one of the selected artists, by supplying the materials for her sculpture. We had previously supplied materials to Louise in her role as lecturer in sculpture at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts. We were pleased to be involved with this wonderful event.
Ghost Shadows is cast from the landscape itself, with four Cabbage Trees selected from the pathway of the exhibition. Molds were taken from the trees and the casts were reproduced in Forton (modified gypsum). Cast in white the four ghost trees mirror the natural scene and disappear into the flora alongside the walkway.
I visited on 24th January, and it was an amazing experience. The walkway is part of the headland with the spectacular Hauraki Gulf as its backdrop.The coastal track from the wharf, twists and turns up hills, into valleys and along the headland, so the sculptures are encountered up close, one at a time, to delight and intrigue the observer. Well worth taking the trip out to Waiheke.
More photos will soon be added to our gallery.
For info on the exhibition visit www.sculptureonthegulf.co.nz