Lost and Found isn’t just a title. It’s a feeling. A feeling you get standing before these eight colossal boulders. Each one a testament to deep time. Millions of years old they bear the imprints of modern life. This is the Heliograph Sculpture. It’s more than just art. It’s a conversation starter.
These aren’t just ordinary rocks. Artist Joe Sheehan painstakingly carved everyday objects onto their surfaces. Imagine sneakers with intricately woven shoelaces. A baseball cap perched precariously. A puffer jacket. Even sunglasses and gloves. Each detail is a miniature marvel. Sheehan’s skill is breathtaking. The smooth satin finish begs to be touched.
The Heliograph Sculpture isn’t just beautiful. It’s a metaphor for community. The objects tell a story of shared experiences. They connect people living in different worlds. The gloves at each end of Federal Street hold the space. The jacket lies under St Matthew’s like a cruciform echo. The shoes are near the Auckland City Mission. The artwork itself interacts with the street’s unique social dynamics.
Sheehan didn’t just pick these boulders up. He sourced them from various locations throughout New Zealand. They weigh between one and four tonnes each. He used a six-foot saw and a 1mm diamond drill for incredible precision. He even designed lamps to illuminate each object. The full effect won’t be complete until April when the lighting is installed.
But this isn’t just a display. Sheehan wants you to touch the carvings. To interact with them. To literally finish the artwork. Over time a patina will develop. The sculpture will change. It will reflect the community’s interaction.
The Heliograph Sculpture is a permanent addition to Auckland’s public art collection. It’s meant to be here long after 2050. It’s a stunning example of how contemporary art can meet ancient geological formations. It’s an invitation to experience and appreciate both our past and our present. This is a place where deep time meets modern life. A place where art and community intertwine. A place to pause reflect and connect. This is the Heliograph Sculpture. And this is its story.