Auckland’s art scene bursts into life outdoors. It is a spectacle returning after a three-year break. This is the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition. It is hosted at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa. Imagine sixteen large-scale art, sound, and light works. These pieces come from artists across the motu.
The event curator, Linda Tyler, has a keen eye. She selected steel flower buds. Jane Downes, from Banks Peninsula, created them. There are also patchwork globes. Metal Metcalfe, from Hawke’s Bay, made them from recycled gallon drums. Large marble hands are also on display. Josh Olley, based in Cromwell, sculpted these.
The exhibition is free. It runs for three months. An indoor exhibition complements the outdoor display. Smaller sculptural works and homewares are available. You can find them for purchase at the Huakaiwaka Visitor Gallery.
In 2021, the last exhibition drew crowds. Over 350,000 people attended. Linda Tyler highlighted the artists. Some are award-winning. Others are earlier in their careers. The mix is exciting. There are crowd favorites from past events. New artists offer fresh perspectives.
Choosing just sixteen works was difficult. The talent and creativity were overwhelming. Councillor Richard Hills is excited about the event’s return. He chairs Auckland Council’s Policy and Planning Committee. Public feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Gardening is an artistic expression. Combining the two creates a memorable experience. The curators have balanced the selection. The artworks are thoughtfully placed in beautiful garden settings.
Consider Matt Hughes’ whale tale, Alexicacus. It stands 2.8 meters high. It embodies nautical New Zealand. It also shows respect for recognizing the bigger picture. Amie Redpath shares her environmental passion. Her Council of Guardians features seven Oceanic custodians. They declare the need to learn from indigenous ancestors. They emphasize connection to our whenua and oceans.
These sculptures are among 130 works. One hundred artists are represented. Sally Lush, the curator, thoughtfully placed each piece. She maximized the venue’s 180-degree views of the Hauraki Gulf.
Notably, Max Patté’s “Solace in the Wind” is iconic. It graces Wellington’s waterfront. It stands as New Zealand’s best-loved public artwork. Patté celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2008. He released limited edition maquettes. Each is a 60cm replica with a unique patina. They stand on pieces of Wellington Wharf beam.
“Solace in the Wind” began as a temporary loan. The city council purchased it. It won the People’s Choice award. This launched Max Patté’s career. His work now appears globally. Patrons include Sir Ian McKellen and Stephen Fry.
Creating “Solace in the Wind” was a major undertaking. Patté worked at Weta Workshop. Sir Richard Taylor provided studio space. Patté funded the materials. The Wellington City Council allowed a 12-month installation. Angle-grinding sent Patté to A&E. Nurses removed iron particles from his eyes. Despite limited vision, he met the unveiling date.
Vandalism occurred shortly after unveiling. Phillips Fox paid for repairs. Then, the Wellington City Council bought the work. The anniversary edition maquette is a 3D scan. Supreme Metals in Auckland cast it. The maquette stands on a piece of old Wellington Wharf beam. Each edition is unique.
Patté aimed to enrich Wellington’s art world. He wanted to encourage calm reflection. The waterfront spot was his place of solace. There, he found relief and comfort. The figure expresses pain. It evokes the desire to be alone with one’s thoughts. The ambiguous expression invites interpretation. The sea offers serenity. It allows reevaluation and inspiration. The silhouette mimics a sail. The textured skin complements the setting. Nature itself seems to paint the work.