New sculptures for Newmarket set to be unveiled

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

Newmarket Arts Trust

Thursday, 24 June 2010

New sculptures for Newmarket set to be unveiled

At 5.30pm Friday 25 June, Director of Auckland Art Gallery, Chris Saines will unveil some new and substantial public art for Newmarket.

“The work by young Auckland artist, Seung Yul Oh, will add some real colour and interest to Teed and Osborne streets. We’re grateful to the Newmarket Arts Trust for the work they do fundraising and selecting the appropriate artist and work,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

Chairman of the Newmarket Arts Trust, David Haigh, says the artist has cleverly created a marriage of the old and the new with his nine brightly coloured egg-shaped ‘Globgobs’. 

“The egg, as a symbol of new life and hope, goes back into ancient times and through many cultures. In a similar fashion, the streets of Osborne and Teed are now transformed into a desirable retail centre. To me the eggs are a joyous and colourful attraction to the area and are at a level that children can enjoy their visual beauty,” says Mr Haigh.

 “Newmarket is committed to growing its public art and the business association is once again the proud principal sponsor. In 2006 we unveiled the Terry Stringer bronze ‘The World Grasped’ out the front of Smith and Caughey’s. In 2008 we welcomed Virginia King’s giant ‘Sliver’ near the old Carlton Hotel, also on Broadway. We’re now delighted to unveil Seung’s nine ‘Globgobs’ on Teed and Osborne streets,” says Cameron Brewer.

Commissioned by the Newmarket Arts Trust, Mr Haigh says the trust is grateful financial support from the Newmarket Business Association, Tramco Group, Hobson Community Board, Auckland City Council and private funders.

The sculptures will add to Osborne Street which has recently received a $1.67 million upgrade. The project included provision of traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossing facilities, widened footpaths, new mobility and scooter parking, new street furniture, signage, plantings and lighting on Osborne Street between Teed Street and Khyber Pass Road.

"Osborne Street is one of the trendiest streets in Auckland. All the improvements including the wider Bluestone footpaths really show off the likes of the old Hayes building and the historic former Kent's Bakery. It's truly a boutique back-lane with some great businesses on it. This fabulous public artwork is really the icing on the cake,” says Cameron Brewer.

Mr Brewer says Newmarket has never looked better as far as public art goes.

Recently the Newmarket Business Association commissioned artist Dan Mills to paint murals on Broadway’s main utility boxes. It was Dan Mills who also earlier painted giant murals in the rail corridor, which can be seen from Broadway near Burger King.

What’s more as part of Auckland City Council’s $2m Lumsden Green upgrade, two popular Newmarket artworks have been restored: Marte Szirmay’s Smirnoff sculpture of twisted aluminium and Ted Smythe’s water feature.

“We’re getting some real critical mass with our public artwork, creating increasing presence and interest. The Newmarket Business Association is committed to funding more pieces in the next few years as well,” says Cameron Brewer.

Ends

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