New sculptures to have permanent home in Rotorua

Marc Spijkerbosch with winning sculpture The White Mouse (artist Anna Korver)

News Release

Wednesday 28 January 2015

New sculptures to have permanent home in Rotorua

Four sculptures from the city’s recent sculpture symposium have been added to Rotorua Lakes Council’s (RLC) permanent public art collection for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The Sulphur Lake Sculpture Symposium – with a theme of The Returning Soldier - was held over two weeks late last year at Rotorua Arts Village, with 17 local and national sculptors participating including a guest artist from Russia.

The sculptures now form the evolving Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail in Government Gardens as part of the council’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War.

Judges selected nationally recognised sculptor Anna Korver’s piece The White Mouse, depicting New Zealand war heroine Nancy Wake, as the winning artwork. It will now become a permanent part of the council’s public art collection.

RLC community arts advisor, Marc Spijkerbosch, said community feedback on the Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail had been phenomenal.

“It’s a wonderful new asset to the city and in such an appropriate and tranquil location. It’s hard to believe this area was a forgotten wasteland only 18 months ago.”

Mr Spijkerbosch said the council was also given first option to purchase a second piece, and selected Rory McDougall’s TheGhost Soldier to complement the winning sculpture.

“The Ghost Soldier was clearly the ‘People’s Choice’ and perhaps the most poignant and fitting addition to permanently adorn our WWI memorial trail.”

Rotorua Trust has purchased a further two of the sculptures for the city, Forever Remembered and Tank Trap by prominent local artists Paul Bottomley and Jamie Pickernell, resulting in four permanent memorial sculptures at the key entranceways to the sculpture trail.

“Council receives a twenty per cent commission on all sales during the two-year exhibition,” said Mr Spijkerbosch.

“Any pieces sold by the artist will be replaced by another of similar nature, resulting in an eternally refreshing and self-sustaining permanent outdoor gallery.”

The Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail - The Returning Soldier information brochure is available onsite at the trail, Rotorua Arts Village, Rotorua Museum, and online at www.creativerotorua.org.nz

ENDS

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