New Zealand’s top sculptors set to show-off their talent in Rotorua

For immediate release: 3 November 2016

Wielding chisels, hammers and power tools artists will descend on Rotorua Arts Village Green from Saturday 19 November to transform 25 tonnes of stone and logs into works of art.

Seventeen of New Zealand’s top local and national sculptors have nine days to create pieces of art during the 2016 Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Symposium.

The finished pieces of art become part of Rotorua’s Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail.

Artists can use all styles; traditional, abstract and contemporary. Their artwork must reflect the theme of ‘The Energy Within,’ capturing Rotorua’s unique geothermal and cultural environment.

Council community arts advisor and symposium coordinator, Marc Spijkerbosch, says the sculpture symposium is an exciting event for the city.

“This is a thrilling event for the artists and the wider community. Rotorua is very fortunate. There are only a couple of events like this across the country. It’s great for the artists and a rare opportunity for locals and tourists to see sculptures being created.

“These artists are seasoned professionals. It’s mesmerising to watch them cut down, shape and mould these huge blocks and boulders,” he says.

The artists have the choice to create pieces from Oamaru limestone, Taranaki andesite or macrocarpa logs.

“The artists all work in an open space and we encourage locals and visitors to come down to watch the sculptors work and see the artworks take shape." Mr Spijkerbosch says.

At the end of the nine days, one of the works will be selected for the judges' award and will become a permanent part of the district's public art collection. Up to a further four pieces could be selected to enhance the new boulevard in Rotorua’s Kuirau Park.

All the finished sculptures will be installed along the Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Trail in Government Gardens to form The Energy Within Exhibition. The pieces will remain on public display along the trail until the next sculpture symposium in 2018.

The works would also be for sale at prices set by the artists, and any sold from the sculpture trail would be replaced with alternative pieces.

The Sculpture Symposium is on 8.30am to 4.30pm daily from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 November at the Rotorua Arts Village Green in the Government Gardens.

For more information go to www.bit.ly/sculptsym

More information

Artists From Medium being used
Joe Kemp Rotorua Macrocarpa
Peter Edwards Rotorua Andesite
Shannon Wafer Rotorua Oamaru
Trevor Nathan Rotorua Andesite and Steel
Jamie Pickernell Rotorua Andesite + Mac + Steel
Natanahira Te Pona Rotorua Macrocarpa
Rakei Kingi Rotorua Macrocarpa
Jocelyn Pratt Thames Andesite
Nigel Scanlon Waiheke Is. Oamaru + Andesite
Phil Bonham Auckland Andesite + Mac
Rory McDougall Westport Oamaru
Peter Harawira Ohiwa Oamaru
Rex O'Brien Mt Maunganui Andesite
Peter Akurangi Rotorua Oamaru
Anna Korver Taranaki Andesite
Claire Sadler Taranaki Andesite
Oriah Rapley Taranaki Andesite

2014 Sulphur Lake Symposium
· Inaugural Rotorua Symposium
· Seventeen pieces produced to the theme ‘The Returning Soldier,’ as part of the World War 1 100 year commemorations.
· Sculptures have been displayed as part of the Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail.
· Judges selected Anna Korver’s piece ‘The White Mouse’, depicting New Zealand war heroine Nancy Wake, to win the $10,000 prize and be part of the Council’s permanent art collection.
· Only five pieces from the 2014 symposium remain available for sale.
ENDS

© Scoop Media