Weta Workshop sculptor live at SKYCITY!

MEDIA RELEASE

11 October 2011

Weta Workshop sculptor live at SKYCITY!

A one point five metre high 'Showgirl on A Dragon' will begin to appear in the SKYCITY Atrium tomorrow as Weta Workshop sculptor Craig Campbell gets to work on the masterpiece which will take him ten days to complete.

From 12-16 October and 19-23 October, the American artist with fifteen years practice in his craft will create the sculpture as the public look on. Based in the heart of SKYCITY, at the top of the stairs the lead to the Sky Tower lifts, the live demonstration will give locals and the many tourists in town the chance to chat to Craig about his creation and the work of Weta Workshop.

Tim Launder from Weta Workshop says: "This is the thrilling sequel to the opening of the Weta Cave at the end of August. We've had such a great response from the Auckland public to the shop; it's special to be able to add that little bit more magic."

Weta Workshop partnered with SKYCITY in August to open the Weta Cave within the existing Sky Tower Gift Shop at the base of the Sky Tower. The exclusive arrangement sees Sky Tower as the only Weta retail outlet in Auckland.

Artist bio:

CRAIG CAMPBELL

"I just make stuff....."

I'm an American Artist working as a guest Sculptor with Weta workshop.

I've been sculpting professionally for about 15 years. In this time I've sculpted toys, action figures, collectibles, theme park and zoo exhibits, and bronze commissions for private and public collections. I've worked in a variety of different materials including concrete, bronze, wax, various clays, foam, and resins.

As long as I can remember, I've been involved with art and had a passion for making stuff. It wasn't until after years working as a nightclub bouncer that I finally decided to take art seriously and put my passion to the test. After some schooling, and a large amount of self teaching, I realized that what started as a hobby was turning into a career and a lifelong passion. As I explored art, the works of Rodin, Bernini, Michelangelo, and then Frederick Hart, Frank Frazetta, and many others, inspired and in turn influenced me to sculpt. I thoroughly enjoy what I do, and am fortunate to have enough talent to communicate through sculpture. There is great joy in finding the life inside the materials I sculpt, and, sharing that life with viewers and collectors of my work.

Sculpture, for me, is a journey with no true end. Its mysteries and fascinations are timeless and ageless, and it's my hope that the wonders and experience of sculpture will live on for generations to come.

ENDS