NZ Sculpture OnShore returns for 10th biennial exhibition

NZ Sculpture OnShore returns for 10th biennial exhibition
6-16 November 2014

Presenting a fresh and inspiring showcase of contemporary New Zealand art practice, the country’s largest national outdoor sculpture exhibition celebrates 20 years in support of Women’s Refuge New Zealand.

Auckland, 10 July 2014 - Celebrating 20 years as a major fundraising event for Women’s Refuge New Zealand, this November will mark the 10th biennial exhibition of NZ Sculpture OnShore – one of New Zealand’s premiere outdoor sculpture exhibitions, presented at the spectacular, cliff-top reserve above Narrow Neck Beach in Devonport, on Auckland’s North Shore.

More than 100 artists have been selected to exhibit in 2014 and most have created works specifically for this exhibition. Joining well-known names such as Paul Dibble, Mary-Louise Brown, Lonnie Hutchinson and John Reynolds, more than 30 per cent of this year’s sculptures will be from new faces, offering a fresh and exciting glimpse at New Zealand contemporary art practice including three-dimensional art, sculpture, site-specific ephemeral installations, performance, light and sound works.

Exhibition curator Rob Garrett said: “From its early days as New Zealand’s first regular outdoor sculpture exhibition, NZ Sculpture OnShore continues to evolve and grow, just as the New Zealand sculpture scene has also blossomed.”

“The 2014 exhibition, which runs over 10 days from 6-16 November, will be a diverse showcase of New Zealand artistic talent, featuring artists from the Far North to Invercargill, including many who are regular supporters of the event and have exhibited multiple times in the past.”

Proudly supporting Women’s Refuge New Zealand, NZ Sculpture OnShore has a dual aim: to present some of the best contemporary art New Zealand has to offer while helping the victims of domestic violence in New Zealand. All of the works exhibited are for sale, with proceeds from the event donated to Women’s Refuge.

“We’re immensely proud of our long-standing relationship with Women’s Refuge New Zealand, and of the fact that we are able to make a significant financial contribution to their work. To date, over $1.34 million has been donated from our events – making us one of the largest sources of private funding for Women’s Refuge.”

Another distinctive element of NZ Sculpture OnShore is the Children’s Sculpture Exhibition, which showcases sculptures created by children from Auckland schools and art groups. The event runs alongside NZ Sculpture OnShore and has been an integral part of the exhibition since 2004.

Rob Garrett continues: “Children are a very important audience, and they also play an integrated and very special role in our exhibition. Through the Children’s Sculpture Exhibition, our education programme and Kidzone activities we aim to nourish and showcase creativity from an early age.”

The NZ Sculpture OnShore education programme, for children in Years 4-10, includes a half-day visit to the exhibition with a strong emphasis on encouraging participation and engagement.

NZ Sculpture OnShore is a highlight on the national events calendar, and draws visitors not only from the Auckland region, but all over New Zealand and internationally. Of the almost eighteen thousand visitors who passed through the gates in 2012, around forty per cent said they do not normally visit art galleries.

“The diversity and scale of the exhibition means that there is truly something for everyone at NZ Sculpture OnShore; young and old, regular gallery visitors or those completely new to art. Our beautiful site, with cliff-top views of Rangitoto and the Hauraki Gulf makes NZ Sculpture OnShore a wonderful and fun day out – and all for a very worthy cause.”

Tickets for NZ Sculpture OnShore will be available at the event and through www.eventfinder.co.nz.

Keep up-to-date with NZ Sculpture OnShore news at: www.facebook.com/NZSculptureOnShore

About NZ Sculpture OnShore
The works of more than 100 New Zealand artists are on public display and for sale during the 10 day exhibition at Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve – 6-16 November, 2014.

NZ Sculpture OnShore Ltd is wholly owned by Friends of Women's Refuges, a charitable trust formed to raise funds to support the work of Women’s Refuge New Zealand. To date, The Friends of Women’s Refuges Trust has donated over $1.34 million dollars to Women’s Refuge to help victims of family violence.

www.nzsculptureonshore.co.nz

Sponsors: NZ Sculpture OnShore is grateful for the generous support of its sponsors, including Hesketh Henry, Harcourts Cooper & Co and Auckland Council

ENDS

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