Elevating Worm Sculpture

What do you call a pair of worms in love? Look no further than the Elevating Worm Sculpture. This whimsical stainless steel creation is more than just a quirky landmark in Wellington. It represents a second chance at love, or at least a second interpretation. You see, the Elevating Worm Sculpture has a twin, originally built in 1976 by the same artist, Guy Ngan. The original sculpture, rendered in bare concrete, was left untitled for years. Ngan, a renowned New Zealand artist, wished for people to remember the shape and form before any preconceived notions a name might evoke. However, the daughter of the family doctor bestowed an unforgettable title upon it: “Worms Mating”. Ngan embraced the name, finding it both humorous and fitting. Fast forward to 2011, the E Tu Awakairangi Public Art Trust commissioned Ngan to create a second “mating worms” sculpture. This time, however, it was rendered in sleek stainless steel and christened “Elevating Worms”. This newer sculpture stands as a testament to the enduring fascination with Ngan’s unique artistic vision. It’s a reminder that art is open to interpretation. What do you see when you look at the Elevating Worm Sculpture? Is it a playful tribute to nature’s embrace or a testament to the power of artistic evolution? That’s the beauty of art it speaks to each of us in its own way.