Sculpture Rises in the Backyard Garden

Sculpture Rises in the Backyard Garden

No longer is the beauty of large sculptural objects only for parks and public gardens, sculpture and outdoor art is fast becoming the ‘must have’ item in New Zealanders’ backyard renovation project, according to Sally Lush, Curator of the Harbourview Sculpture Trail which opens to the public on Saturday.

“We’re seeing people’s general interest in outdoor sculpture increase as they get more exposure to good sculptural work and it’s also becoming more widely available to purchase.”

“People realise it is more effective to source an artwork that they love and work the garden design and landscaping around it, rather than having to try and find a piece to fit in a spot where nothing quite works,” said Lush.

The Harbourview Sculpture Trail is now one of the most anticipated shows in the Auckland arts calendar. Held in a unique environment, a broad range of site-specific artwork will be set around ponds, native flax and bush within an untouched paradise nestled on Te Atatu Peninsula. The natural environment is pitched against a backdrop of stunning harbour and Auckland city views.

Monique Redmond, Harbourview Sculpture Trail Selection Panellist said a key aspect of the Harbourview Sculpture Trail is the relationship of sculptural form and object to the site.

“The 40 selected artists have all developed proposals that are specifically designed for the Te Atatu Peninsula location, from objects to interventions to site-driven sculptural works. There is a real sense of ambition and scale that this site offers the artists. Its location and various geographical vistas allow for large scale monument-like objects to inhabit the space —and for the more intimate and transient sculptural projects to assimilate into what is a remarkable and diverse site,” said Redmond.

Artists and sculptures were selected by a panel that included: Andrew Clifford, Director of Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, Monique Redmond Associate Professor in Visual Arts at AUT University and Harbourview Sculpture Trail Curator Sally Lush.

The Harbourview Sculpture Trail at Harbourview Peoples Park, Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland is open daily from Saturday 5 March to Monday 28 March 2016.

For more details, visit www.harbourviewsculpture.com

ENDS

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