10 February 2005

Artist Leaves Lasting Legacy

One of the last works by renowned local artist, Peter Oxborough, is to be the centrepiece at the front of Rodney District Council's Centreway Road headquarters.

The work, described by council's arts advisor, Dr Sarah Dugdale as a simple but elegant work in steel, was one of eight proposals submitted by local artists after the council called for expressions of interest in October 2005.

A panel comprising the mayor John Law, councillors representing the district's three arts councils, Arts Council representatives, foyer architect and council officers selected the work from a short-list of three.

Each of the three submissions would have been a worthy winner, says Dr Dugdale. "And I am hopeful we can find a place for them all. But Peter Oxborough's work had a stand out quality that none on the panel could resist."

Dr Dugdale says Peter Oxborough, who died in December, was one of the finest artists Rodney District Council has worked with.. She predicts artists and craftspeople will be challenged in bringing his vision into reality. "But I am confident they can do it, given the detailed drawings Peter left us, and the commitment to the project by his family and colleagues," she says.

Work is due to begin on the new piece within the next few weeks.

ENDS.

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