Macs Sculpture Symposium

Macs Sculpture Symposium

Nelson Sept 30 - Oct 23

Old hoodies, balaclavas, copper wire and engine oil are just some of the materials being used at this years Mac's Sculpture Symposium, along with the more traditional use of concrete, aluminium, marble, steel and wood.

The symposium starts on Saturday (30th Sept) and this year is in a new venue, under the heritage trees of Albion Square, alongside Nelson's Suter Gallery. Symposium Manager, Tim Wraight, says there are some high interest and even interactive viewing opportunities for the public this year.

"Grant Scott is inviting people to be part of his work by helping to pour vast amounts of concrete into moulds to make forms that will be around four metres high," he said. "James Webster, from Whitianga is making a ceremonial gate that involves huge amounts of timber - and he's also going to be working on me. James is also a talented Ta Moko artist and he is going to give me a tattoo, probably on my arm and shoulder."

Other artists to watch out for at the symposium are Wallace Art Award's finalist Ben Foster, who is doing a 2.5 metre high aluminium casting, and Nigel Peterson, who is known for his kinetic works and will be making an iron lung as a comment on the historic impact of polio in New Zealand.

During the Macs Sculpture Symposium drawings and maquettes demonstrating the process in the design of the sculptures will be on display at the Fishbowl Gallery at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.

The sculptures will be completed by Saturday October 14th, when the on-line auction begins, at www.fishersonlineart.com. The sculpture exhibition phase of the symposium is in Albion Square throughout the Nelson Arts Festival. Sunday 15 ­ Monday 23 October. All day - no charge.

The Nelson Arts Festival is produced by the Nelson City Council as a celebration of the arts in the Nelson community for locals and visitors. Details on line at www.nelsonartsfestival.co.nz

ENDS

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