1 November 2007
Sculpture extravaganza begins at Auckland Botanic Gardens

The inaugural Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens opens at the Auckland Botanic Gardens this Sunday (4 November), showcasing the work of some of New Zealand’s most talented artists for the first time in this magnificent garden setting.

Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens is running for three months this summer and is installed along a 1.8km trail through the gardens, starting at the Visitor Centre Huakaiwaka (itself a masterpiece) and winding gently through the garden collections.

The exhibition is the realisation of a vision born of the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens and embraced by the Gardens and the Auckland Regional Council.

“Art on this scale can only be promoted by public agencies. With this significant arts event, the Council is embracing the potential of public art to enhance people’s enjoyment of its parks, to excite their imaginations and express the diverse creative talents of the people of the Auckland region,” says ARC Parks and Heritage Chair Cr Sandra Coney.

“The Gardens are magically changed by the works, all of which have been carefully considered for their individual settings. Visitors will see the gardens through new eyes and at the same time gain an appreciation of the role art plays in our everyday lives,” she says.

Drawing on the support and expertise of a curatorial panel of Alexa Johnson, Leo Jew and Richard Cooper, the Gardens has created an epic first show oozing with talent. More than 80 proposals were submitted in early 2006 and the curatorial panel chose 27 sculptures they felt would create a landmark exhibition of New Zealand sculpture.

Featuring names like Virginia King, Fred Graham, Greer Twiss, Terry Stringer and Paul Dibble, the exhibition celebrates the work of some of New Zealand’s most well-known and treasured sculptors. It also showcases some new and up-and-coming talent in the work of Fiona Garlick, Samantha Lissette and John Ioane.

Beginning with the lively bronze ‘Butterfly’ by Christchurch artist Llew Summers the trail winds its way down through the Perennial Garden. Early visitors to this garden have marvelled over the intricate detail of Jim Wheeler’s ‘Kudzu!’ which tells a story of one of the world’s most beautiful and invasive pest plants.

Continuing on to the Rose Garden, visitors pass stunning stainless steel pieces by Virginia King and Steve Woodward, one is a signature King shell imitating the endangered Pupu Harakeke (flax snail) and the other a 3.3m topiary dog.

The Rose Garden shows off five sculptures, each unique and thought provoking. As visitors cross the Garden’s central lawn and pass the lake they are treated to more large-scale works that are tempting to touch and interact with.

“This is a public park,” says curator manager Jack Hobbs. “We expect to see visitors getting up close, feeling the materials or taking photographs. This is what Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens is all about, allowing people to really spend time getting to know and appreciate art.”

The trail ends with ‘Topiary’ by Jeff Thomson. In traditional Thomson style this work is made from corrugated iron. Many people will recall the corrugated-iron-clad Holden that now resides in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, an early Thomson piece.

Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens, which began as a vision for the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, has been some years in the planning. Together with the Auckland Regional Council and the Auckland Botanic Gardens, the Friends have worked on developing the Gardens as a place where art and horticulture are complementary.

The decision to hold a large-scale sculpture show was spurred on by the success of ‘Growth Industry’ held at the gardens in 2005 and curated by artist Richard Mathieson. ‘Growth Industry’ attracted 45,000 visitors over a two-week period and featured the work of 16 artists.

A regional park managed by the Auckland Regional Council, the location is enjoying ongoing growth in visitor numbers.

“We hope to see 250,000 visitors come to Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens this summer,” says Jack Hobbs. “This is the biggest and most ambitious event we have ever held and I’d also like to think it is the greatest exhibition of outdoor art in a garden setting in this country has ever seen.”

Hosting an event of this scale and duration has been a great challenge for the Garden’s project team. The support of the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, as exhibition hosts and financial supporters, has been integral in bringing this project to fruition.

Partnerships with naming right sponsor and winemaker Stoneleigh and Supreme Award sponsor McConnell Property have shown the support that businesses are prepared to give to an artistic community event.

“Stoneleigh is delighted to be the major sponsor of the inaugural Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition – a winning sponsorship that capitalises on the synergies between wine and the arts.

“We are passionate about encouraging arts partnerships that are visionary and this outdoor event set in the majestic setting of Auckland’s Botanic Gardens is truly an inspirational exhibition,” says Stoneleigh winemaker Jamie Marfell.

Throughout the show, the Gardens will be featuring community events, activities for kids and families, and regular guided walks. Funded by an ASB Community Trust grant, these programmes are focussed on learning about art and sculpture.

Entry to Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens is free. The Friends will purchase a sculpture from the exhibition to add to the Gardens’ permanent collection (all sculptures are for sale).

ENDS

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